Joel 2:12-17 ALL Return
Disaster is coming for the wayward nation. God is still holding out hope if they will ALL repent as a people. From nursing infants to the gray head, RETURN to the Lord!
When is it too late? Is it too late to repent now? How about now?
As long as you can draw breath, it’s not too late!
Judah was on the brink of disaster. God’s judgment was coming. Joel tells the people that this time it will be in the form of locust; MANY locust. That word is enough to put fear into the heart of any farmer! It is a judgment that leaves little to nothing behind. The food for the humans AND the animals will be gone. Death is soon to follow.
But it’s not too late! There is still hope if ALL will turn their hearts to God. Man cannot fix this. One or two people praying is not enough. A pretense of repentance won’t do it. ALL the people have to fall on their faces before the Lord IN TRUE REPENTANCE.
“’Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’ Return to the Lord you God for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and He relents over disaster” (verses 12-13).
God’s character and call are just as true in the days of Joel as they are today. He LONGS for His people to TRULY turn to Him. And He will do whatever it takes to bring that about. In the days of Joel, it was bringing the locust. Today, only He knows for certain what is coming.
Don’t be fooled. There IS judgment coming for those who don’t turn to Him. We also know that there will be MANY who refuse to turn to Him. That will bring about the end God has already decreed in the book of Revelation. NOT because He is an unfeeling God, but because He already knows what man will choose.
You don’t have to be one who chooses evil and neither do I. We can choose Him, no matter what anyone else does. He can hear one heart as loudly as He can hear the cry of a whole nation. And a nation can only be heard one person at a time. “Who knows whether He will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him” (verse 14a).
Father God, I want my WHOLE HEART to be Yours. EVERY DAY and in EVERY WAY let me live a life pleasing to You. Not just in thought but in practice too. Bless this day Lord as some of Your children gather together and honor You. Bless tomorrow too as many more do so again. Bless my little gathering of friends too Father as we enjoy time together. We want to honor You with ALL our hearts; even in the fun times we share.
Do NOT let me be’ just going through the motions’ Lord! I want to honor You with my WHOLE heart!!! Our time together is precious. Let me NEVER take it for granted. Even when I’m tired and can barely keep my eyes open, STILL draw my heart to Yourself. Thank You for that reminder today Father. I LOVE YOU with ALL that is in me!!!
