Wednesday, May 09 2012
Joel 2
Verse of the Day: V13 “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.
1. Rend (V1-20)
V12 “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:”
The Almighty God through Prophet Joel warned the people of Israel to turn to God with their hearts and with fasting, weeping and mourning otherwise He shall punish them for their sins and wickedness. The people of Israel had seemingly worshipped the Lord and even rend their garments in repentance yet their hearts were still evil and wicked and they did not truly repent of their sins and turn to God. However, God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness as He waited for the people to rend their hearts.
V13 “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.”
2. Rejoice (V21-24)
V21 “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.”
God promised the people that if they would rend their hearts, fear not, be glad and rejoice in Him, He shall do great things for them, and gave them rain all year round. Indeed, when we rend our hearts, God’s blessings of rain shall always be upon us and our land.
V23 “Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.”
3. Restore (V25-32)
V25 “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.”
The Lord shall restore the people of Israel the great blessings of His providence when they rend their hearts, rejoice in Him and call upon Him. Indeed, God never forsake His people when we call upon Him and rend our hearts and rejoice in Him always.
V32 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to rend my heart and turn to You in joy.
