A Liturgy for Troubling Times

Many prophetic books have a similar flow and presentation. The nation of Israel has sinned; the wrath of God is coming upon them and the nations; yet God is glorious in his mercy and love, and will spare his people in the end. Joel, however, sounds different. There is no mention of Israel’s sin, rampant idolatry, or poor leadership. Instead, there are pleas to rightly handle common tragedy, and to practice right responses. This liturgy of Joel, of experiencing hardship and coming close to the Lord, seeks to help us rightly respond ourselves. How should we respond to tragedy?