Rending the Heart…

Read: Joel 1-3
Marked: Joel 2:12-13, Now, therefore,” says the LORD, “Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

No matter how far I might wander from the Lord, He calls me to repent and promises forgiveness and restoration.

A deep mourning was often shown by the rending and tearing of clothing. But here God says, “Rend your heart.”

It is possible to show repentance outwardly, a repentance that is on the surface, with no inward change of the heart.

But God calls us to turn to Him with all our heart. A sincere turning to God is a turning away from sin; not just being sorry for it.

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Waiting on God…

Read: Hosea 8-14
Marked: Hosea 12:6, So you, by the help of your God, return; Observe mercy and justice, And wait on your God continually.

There are things, feelings, or events that might take my attention off of God; even lead me away. But God will help me return to Him by waiting and observing His mercy and justice. God is truth and will never lead me astray.