Joel 1:19,20

Here comes in to our relief the blessedness of that gospel, which under the conviction of sin, and a total inability to help ourselves, leads to Christ. For I hope, I need not point out to the Reader, what the whole of this Chapter; namely, that the eye of sin and sorrow loudly proclaims the necessity of salvation by the Lord Jesus Christ. The Prophet opens with sorrow, which is the effect of sin and closes the Chapter with what only becomes the relief for it. When a soul is convinced of sin, and feels the awful consequence of it, there is nothing that can give consolation to the wounded spirit, but the blood of Christ. 0 Lord, to thee do I cry! is the language of every heart taught by God the Holy Ghost. And the cry that is thus awakened by grace, is sure to be answered in mercy.