We have been talking about how God will sometimes try to get our attention through hardships. The people of Israel have turned from God and gone their own way. As any loving parent, who wants what is best for their children, God is disciplining his through trials.
He has not left them without hope though. Our passage today says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” I just love that last line. Don’t tear your clothing, tear your heart instead.
Does your heart break over your sin? I am not talking about your friend’s sin or your spouses. It is good for our heart to break over the sin of another, but our heart must also break over our own sin. That is when true repentance can happen. We can be sad that we are going through a trial. We can even recognize that God is trying to get our attention, but unless our heart breaks over the sin in our lives we will never change.
Ask God today to show you where you fall short and to break your heart over that sin. Our passage also says, “Who knows? Perhaps he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the LORD your God as before.”
Read today's passage at Biblegateway.com Joel 2:12-17
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