O LORD, to Thee will I cry

Joel 1:19

O LORD, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.

The land of Israel was in quite a predicament in the days of Joel. Joel prophesied when things were at its worst. The land had been consumed by the palmerworm, the locust, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar. And all this had happened because of sin. Israel would go into captivity because of their sin. They would learn under the cords of affliction, for they had wholly departed from their God. Nonetheless, there is always a glimmer of hope. They could be saved! If they would cry unto God, He could change His mind toward them! But they must call a solemn assembly, and proclaim a fast, and everyone should come to the house of God, and seek the Lord. How many times in Scripture does the Lord says, “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.” Does He not promise, “And ye shall seek me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart”?

But this, my friends, takes much humility. It takes more humility than many are willing to take on themselves. For you see, we must “gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD.” We must cry unto the Lord! We must fast and pray, and come together to seek His face. Most are not willing to do this, so things continue as they always have been. But it doesn’t need to stay the same! Joel said “to Thee will I cry!” He knew there was always mercy and forgiveness with God. But we must be willing to cry unto Him. Know this day, dear one, that there is nothing beyond hope. We must simply cry unto Him. We must pray and seek His face and turn from our wicked ways. Who can tell what it is that He will do to save our nation and our beloved land? Who can tell whether He will forgive our sin and heal our land? Does He not promise to do this? It is time to cry unto the Lord, because that is ever and only the answer.

“Father, we come to Thee this day, because supplication, prayer, intercession, and giving of thanks is the only way to cleansing, and healing, and deliverance. It is time for Thee, Lord, to work! We are trusting in Thee! May we all in unison and in harmony cry to God for His mercy on our lives and on our land. May we always remember that you hear the cries of the righteous, and your ears are open unto their prayers. May we be seeking you daily. And we shall praise you for these things, and the wonders that you shall perform in answer to our cries. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”