Anthem of Hope For America Joel 2:18-27:Isaiah 57:15 The nation of Israel is in trouble! They have experienced a terrible drought and a massive invasion of locusts, Joel1:7-20. These tragedies have left the land ruined and the people demoralized. The prophet Joel uses these events as an illustration of God’s judgment upon Israel. Their specific sin is not named in this book, but a careful reading of the book indicated that the people had slipped into a state of complacency and apathy about the things of God, Joel 2:13.God used nature and Israel’s enemies as His means of divine judgment. He used the trials they faced as a nation to awaken the hearts of His people and to call them back to Him.The book of Joel is a book of judgment. But it is also a book of hope. In this book, God’s people are made to understand that even in the midst of divine judgment there is always hope if they will seek the Lord. The book of Joel was written to the people of Israel. It deals with their past and it deals with their future. It looks back to the judgment of God on them for their sins. It also looks forward to a glorious day when they will enjoy the great blessings of the Lord. While this book was written to the Jew, there is something here for us as well. Like Israel, (America) we live in a land that is under divine judgment. America is under judgment! Or am I the only one who sees this? We are living in a generation that calls “evil good and good evil” (Isa. 5:20). We look at our nation and at our world and we wonder if there is any hope for the future. We wonder if there is any hope for revival. What does America Need to do to get back up High where she once was?