Read Joel 1-3
And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel 2:13 KJV
Using the picture of a devastating swarm of locusts, the prophet Joel warned the people of Judah of impending judgment, and called upon them to repent, to acknowledge their sins and return to the Lord. He called on them to rend their hearts not just their garments. The rending of one’s garments was a customary way of expressing sorrow, and often was only an outward show. But the approach of judgment was not the time for empty expressions of sorrow. Such expressions would be useless. What the people of Judah needed was true repentance that changed their hearts, and their attitude toward the Lord. True brokenness needed to be evident. Joel’s appeal was based upon the attributes of God, because He is gracious (gives what we don’t deserve), merciful, patient, and of great kindness, God would respond to their repentance, forgive their sins, and withhold judgment from them.
Lord, certainly You have shown grace, mercy, patience, and kindness to me, may I never take that for granted! Because You know my heart, may I always respond to You from my heart that my relationship with You might be real and demonstrated positive actions.
A question to ponder: What are some things we do to express sorrow for sin which often are merely outward but do not touch the heart?
