Tear the hearts, not just tear the garments

That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me all your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, mourning. Let your remorse tear at your hearts and not your garments.” Joel 2:12-13.

The prophet Joel says the natural calamities illustrate a far greater judgment from God in the near future. A recent locust plague had devastated the land of Israel. He says, cutting locusts finished eating all the crops. Then appeared the swarming locusts that ingested what was left. After then came the hopping locusts and the stripping locusts.

The prophet warns the horrible plague of the locusts and natural calamities are insignificant compared to the coming day of severe judgment. Joel 1:15 says, “The day of the Lord is near, the day when destruction comes from the Almighty. How terrible that day will be!”

In the light of this, God is calling people to repent over their sins. The prophet is addressing those who do injustice and wickedness with no sign of repentance. He calls the drunkards to weep and wail. The day of God’s judgment is near. 

In our today’s daily insight, the Lord declares,” “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.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.”

Did you notice our Lord God is eager to relent his judgments if people repent and come to Him? How many times did God talk to us through natural calamities and other incidents? The recent flooding in south India is an example. Has anything like this happened in your days or your parent’s days, the word of the Lord asks? How about the school shootings? What can you expect when people and nations forsake God and live in rebellion against His moral laws? Now is the time for fasting, weeping, and mourning. Now is the time to tear the hearts. Do not just tear your garments as the ancient Jews did when they were filled with grief and sadness. Instead, break hearts in the presence of the Lord.

How long God gave us to turn to Him? If we do not heed, more vigorous and intolerable judgment is in store. The prophet talks about the coming day of the Lord when He will repay the wickedness of people. On that day, people will cry to the mountains and the rocks to fall on them so that they can hide from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb (Jesus Christ). Great is the day of the wrath that is coming, and who is able to stand? (Revelation 6:16-17). 

It demands an answer. The answer is -no one would be able to hold on that day if the blood does not cleanse them of the lamb of God, Jesus Christ.

Jesus took the wrath of God on our sins on His body on the cross. He died for our sin and paid our sins with His sinless and divine blood. Is this not important to you, my dear? God loves you, and He gave His one and only Son for your sake. Come to Him in repentance. Tear hearts in repentance and get saved today by calling on the name of Lord Jesus Christ. Get rescued from the coming day of judgment.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I repent over my sins and wickedness and turn to you and plead for your forgiveness and mercy. I believe Your Son, Jesus Christ, died in my place and rose again for all of my sins. Please forgive me. I accept Christ as my savior and Lord. Please save me from the coming judgment. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”