The Lord's Army

Blow the trumpet in Zion;
sound the alarm on My holy hill.
Let all who live in the land tremble,
for the day of the Lord is coming.
It is close at hand --
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was of old
nor ever will be in ages to come.

Before them the earth shakes,
the sky trembles,
the sun and moon are darkened,
and the stars no longer shine.
The Lord thunders at the head of His army,
His forces are beyond number,
and mighty are those who obey His command.
The day of the Lord is great;
it is dreadful.
Who can endure it?

"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 our God,
for He is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and He relents from sending calamity.
Who knows?
He may turn and have pity
and leave behind a blessing --
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the Lord your God.

(Joel 2:1-2, 10-14)