Joel 1:18-20

Crying unto the Lord -- Joel 1:18-20: The devastation was great in the land. Joel wrote, "How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate." (Joel 1:18) Even the animals that could have been used as sacrifices to God were suffering and dying. The priest and the people must fast and pray in repentance before God. There was no other hope for the nation. It is still true, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgi ive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

As a prophet Joel cried out to God to intercede for the people and the land. The people were to fast and the animals are forced to fast because there is nothing for them to eat or drink. The locusts like a fire have destroyed everything. Everyone and everything had been touched by the "Day of the Lord." God's judgment had come on that Land and on that people.