DEVOTION – DAY 513

Joel 2:12-13 “Turn Back To God”

Joel 2:12-13 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and He relents from sending calamity.”

The prophet Joel lived in Judah during the 6th Century BC. At that time, the nation had to face massive locust plagues and severe drought. Joel saw these disasters as God’s judgment and that the Day of the Lord was drawing near. Thus, he called the people to repentance and to draw close to God. The above verses form part of the section in the book of Joel, that was a call to the nation to repent of their sins. It also tells the people that God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. God would forgive them of their sins when they repent, just as God holds back from sending further disasters upon their land.

In the same way, our world today is faced with severe effects arising from climate change. Many countries have experienced strong typhoons, severe flooding, heavy snowstorms, receding glaciers and so on. Some think they are signs of the Lord’s coming return. The call to repentance for the people’s sins are as relevant today as it was in Joel’s day. Today, many people are focused on their careers, status, power, money and satisfying their own desires. Many people do not have time for God nor do they want to have a relationship with Him. Some of them have rejected God and chose to worship idols instead. They are blind to the signs that God has given them to attract their attention that the Day of Judgment is near.

We know someone who went through a number of troubles in his life, one after another. He lost one job after another. He was unable to stay in any job for long. He suffered a health crisis. He faced financial difficulties. He also faced a breakdown in his marriage. He tried praying to his idols but there was no relief. In the end, he turned to us for help. We told him that only Jesus could help him. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. We told him to invite Jesus into his life as his Lord and Savior to start with a fresh clean slate. We are glad he took our advice to repent of his past sins and failures and to turn to Jesus as his Lord and Savior. 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you, our Gracious and Merciful God. Thank you for drawing us back to you in repentance and accepting us into your family. Please help us to obey you always. We pray in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

1. What are some sins that people need to repent off and to seek forgiveness from the Lord?
2. What are some sins that you need to repent and seek forgiveness from the Lord?
3. How does knowing that God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, encourage you to seek God in repentance? Share.

How has God forgiven you in the past? Share.