Return to Me

Daily Reading: Joel 2

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” (Joel 2.12-13)

Devotional Thought: Return to me, God says, with...

·       All your heart.  The Israelites wanted it both ways.  They wanted to serve God when it was convenient but otherwise pursue their own agendas.  It seems a bit silly to say to the Sovereign of the universe, “Lord, I’m happy to have you in my life, but I want you to come this far and no further.”

·       Fasting.  When we find ourselves separated from God, as did the Israelites, we need to be willing to relinquish control.  We must "empty" ourselves of all other options.  Fasting says to God, “Lord, I’m desperate for your will, for your solution, for your blessing.”

·       Weeping.  Joel used the term weeping to signify 'repentance.'  When we weep, we recognize what we have done.  We do not try to blame anybody else, just throw ourselves on the mercy of God.

·       Mourning.  Only by mourning the loss of their spiritual vitality - the loss of their intimacy with God - would the Israelites be able to return to God.  “Change will come when the pain of staying the same is worse than the pain of change.”

·       Broken hearts.  In Joel’s day, tearing of the garments was a sign of great sorrow.  It had become, however, more of a religious show than a true expression of repentance.  God wants us to have heart change, not merely an outward display of religious behavior.  What are those things that separate you from God?  Tear those things away from your heart!

There is good news for those who would return in this way: “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and he relents over disaster” (v 13).

Prayer: "I've wandered far away from God; Now I'm coming home. The paths of sin too long I've trod; Lord, I'm coming home. Coming home, coming home, nevermore to roam. Open wide Thine arms of love. Lord, I'm coming home."  Amen. (William J. Kirkpatrick)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 70.1-5

1 Make haste, O God, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!

2 Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!

3 Let them turn back because of their shame who say, “Aha, Aha! ”

4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great! ”

5 But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!