Calls For Repentance
Return To Me Written By: Liz Jones
Today’s devotional is in the book of Joel. Joel chapter 2, verses 12-14.
A Call to Repentance
12 “Now, therefore,” says the Lord, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” 13 So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the Lord your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm. 14 Who knows if He will turn and relent, And leave a blessing behind Him— A grain offering and a drink offering For the Lord your God?
If you read the whole chapter, you’ll see four themes.
- Calamity (v1-11)
- Repentance (v12-17)
- Restoration (v18-27)
- Revival (v28-32)
In my life, calamity could also be called consequences. I see how my choices led to my pain.
Repentance is the key to restoration, however, most of my life, I asked God to take away the consequences but leave my sin alone. I didn’t want to repent because I loved my sin.
Here in Joel chapter 2, God is speaking to His people (that includes you and I) to turn to Him with all of our hearts. That means choosing to abandon lesser loves that are temporary, to obtain a love that is eternal. No matter how much we love our sin, it will never love us back. BUT GOD – well, He gives more than He receives.
The Lord tells us to turn to Him with all our hearts, “with fasting, with weeping and with mourning”. (v12)
Do you grieve sin like that? When Holy Spirit convicts your heart, do you mourn your sin? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard believers say “He loves me anyways” and continue to walk in darkness. I will admit that I used to be this person. I would read verse 13 about the goodness and kindness of God while bypassing the repentance part.
As we prepare our hearts for Lent – may we be mindful that restoration and revival only come when we surrender and submit to Holy Spirit’s conviction. Repentance is more than saying “I’m sorry!” – Repentance is changing your mind. It’s choosing to return to Him with ALL of our heart (not just a part).
Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus. Thank You for seeing how much we needed Emmanuel (God with us). Jesus, Thank You for loving us enough to come and live among us. Thank You for choosing the cross. Thank You for showing us the beauty of surrender and sacrifice. Holy Spirit, thank You for conviction, even when it’s miserable. Thank You for loving us enough to reveal our heart and show us when we have drifted from Your best for us. Thank You Father, that You are slow to anger, full of kindness, You are gracious and merciful. Thank You for hearing us when we cry out for mercy. Father, teach us how to humble ourselves and repent. Thank You for the promise of restoration and heart transformation when we do. We love You, Lord. In Jesus name, amen.
Today, I choose to abandon lesser loves to obtain a love that is eternal. I change my mind and surrender my will for the will of God.
