I never knew this, but according to The Bible Project, the twelve short books known as the Minor Prophets, beginning at Hosea and ending in Malachai, were originally written to be one big book altogether. Joel is number 2 of 12.

One of the most notable things about Joel is the prophecy about God pouring out his spirit on all his people. This brings to mind Pentecost, on the day the church was born in the book of Acts. A quick Google suggests that there was probably 800 years between Joel and Acts, which is a bit mind-blowing, and goes to show how God sees time so differently to us.

Joel also contains a couple of lovely verses which must have been used for inspiration for some of the final words of one of my very favourite musicals, Les Miserables: they will live again in freedom in the garden of the Lord, they will walk behind the ploughshare, they will put away the sword. The chain will be broken and all men will have their reward!

The verse that chimed the most, this time, though, was: Joel 2.12-13: ‘“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.’

I especially love the ‘even now’. Even now when you think hope is lost, even now when you think you’re too far gone, even now at the end of a rubbish day… you can come to God exactly as you are, whatever is in your heart.