Joel 1-2: The Day of the LORD is Great; It is Dreadful

Tell it to your children, the prophet Joel says.  Tell them of an advancing army of locusts that will destroy everything in their path.  There will be nothing left.
    Despair, you farmers,
       wail, you vine growers;
       grieve for the wheat and the barley,
       because the harvest of the field is destroyed.
   The vine is dried up
       and the fig tree is withered;
       the pomegranate, the palm and the apple tree—
       all the trees of the field—are dried up. - Joel 1:11-12 NIV

This destruction will not be at the hand of the enemy, it is the army of the Lord that approaches.
    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 - Joel 2:1 NIV

This army of locusts, God's army, will plow down everything in it's path.
    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?- Joel 2:11 NIV

Yet, there is still a promise if the nation returns to their God:
    "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. - Joel 2:12-13 NIV

Not only will God relent, but he will restore.
   "I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
       the great locust and the young locust,
       the other locusts and the locust swarm^]—
       my great army that I sent among you. - Joel 2:25 NIV

And not only will he restore, but God will do wonderful things.
    "And afterward,
       I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
       Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
       your old men will dream dreams,
       your young men will see visions. - Joel 2:28 NIV

The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful.  It will be like nothing we have ever seen, both the promised destruction and hope.  Rend your hearts and not your garments. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful.