REND YOUR HEARTS AND NOT YOUR GARMENTS. Joel 2:12-13.

I remember fighting with my brother as a small child. Mama stopped us from squabbling and insisted that we apologize to each other. We grumbled something. “Now say it again, and this time, say it like you mean it.”

So we would apologize a second time, much more sweetly.  We were learning a valuable lesson—one she would teach us over and over for years. You must know how to humble yourself and admit when you have behaved badly. Your future relationships depend on your ability to genuinely apologize when appropriate.

(Let me say that again: your future relationships depend on your ability to genuinely apologize.)

The Book of Joel takes apologies to the next level. The people who turned to idols are now suffering punishment.

“What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten, what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten, and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten … The grapevine is dried up, and the fig tree is withered. The pomegranate, the date palm, and the apple—all the trees of the orchard—have withered. Indeed HUMAN JOY HAS DRIED UP” Joel 1:4, 12.

Then an army arrives: “A great and strong people appears, such as never existed in ages past and never will again … a fire destroys in front of them, and behind them a flame devours” Joel 2:2-3. What can Israel do in face of total devastation? What should we do when our lives fall apart or when we realize we are facing an eternity without Christ?

REPENT.

“Turn to ME with all your heart, with FASTING, WEEPING, and MOURNING. Rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in faithful love, and HE RELENTS FROM SENDING DISASTER” Joel 2:12-13.

Do you know how to apologize? When was the last time you offered someone a genuine apology? Did you actually state what you did wrong, or just toss off a quick, “I’m sorry”?   

More importantly, have you repented to God? Have you confessed your lifetime of selfishness? Do you know how to repent? When the people of ancient Israel were upset, they tore their clothing. But God says, “rend your heart and not your garments.” 

The passage above includes five action verbs for the idol-worshiper (or SELF-worshiper) apologizing to God: 1)Turn to God with all your heart, 2)Fast, 3)Weep, 4)Mourn, and 5)Rend your heart.

I encourage fasting. Nothing draws me closer to God—or Him to me—more effectively than fasting.

ΑΩ