I was going to take a break today as I have managed to catch the crud that’s going around. But once again God caught my attention this morning in His Word. I am reading through the Minor Prophets in the Old Testament (Hosea through Malachi) and I just started the short little book of Joel.
God has sent a plague of locusts to Israel as punishment…to wake them up. They are a metaphor of the encroaching sin of the people and God is calling them back to Himself. God calls for their repentance…and in His cry to Israel is where He spoke to me this morning:
“Turn to me now, while there is time.
Give me your hearts…
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief,
but tear your hearts instead.”
Joel 2:12-13 (NLT)
God doesn’t pull any punches here and He certainly doesn’t beat around the bush. God wants our hearts. He wants us to offer them up to Him willingly knowing an trusting that He will take care of them. He calls us to turn from our sin, from our grief, our agony, our pain and turn to Him…to tear our hearts and offer them to the God who loves.
Of course, that’s often easier said than done…sometimes we like our misery and pain just fine. Sometimes we don’t rust what God will do with our hearts. But He calls us just the same…
