READING:
One-year plan: Joel 1-3, Revelation 6-7
Two-year plan: 1 Chronicles 28-29, Acts 2:14-36
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The people of God faced impending judgment in Joel’s day, so the prophet called them to deep repentance. Even as the “day of the Lord” was near, however, God was calling His people back to Him. They were to cry out to the Lord, turning to Him with all their heart, “with fasting, weeping, and mourning” (Joel 2:12). Their repentance was not to be shallow – not just “tearing the clothes” as a sign of grief – but it was instead to be a complete “tearing” of the heart that hit to the core of their being. Fasting, weeping, and mourning were to mark their hearts.
They could return to God for one reason: “he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love” (Joel 2:13). God was granting His people another chance to come back home because He is a God of grace and mercy.
The prophet Joel may have been writing to a different people centuries ago, but his words are still relevant to us today. God expects us to walk with Him in faithfulness as His people, and He holds us accountable for our actions. Should we fall, He calls us back because He is gracious—but He demands that our repentance be gripping and genuine. Superficial repentance is no repentance at all.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you need to repent in any area of your life today?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I turn to You with all my heart right now.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Amos 1-5, Revelation 8-9
Two-year plan: 2 Chronicles 1-3, Acts 2:37-3:10