By: Lisa Wilmore
Scripture: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 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 evil. Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things (Joel 2: 11b;12-13;21).
Joel, the prophet of God, warned the people of Judah of God’s punishment if they did not change. He also presented a message of hope. A message that God would intervene if they “rend their hearts in lieu of their garments.” In essence, if Judah had deep remorse for their disobedience, God was requiring them to rend their hearts and not their clothes. During this time, people would tear their clothes as an outward display of sorrow and regret for their sins. However, God was not concerned at this outward show of remorse without true inward repentance.
The people of Judah had become content in their lifestyle of sin. Joel was commissioned by God to warn them that a terrible locust plague would devour there land and crops (Joel 1). As noted in the above mentioned scriptures, Joel’s message also affirmed that God promised blessings for all who turned to him. God was willing, ready, and able to forgive those persons who had turned away from him and failed to keep his principles of living. Once there was a change and a penitent heart, he promised to intervene and give them another chance. Because of his “Another Chance”, we should have joy in God’s intervention in our lives, also.
God’s desire is that people would turn to him and away from a life of sin while there is still time. We do not know where death lies or the day the Son of Man shall appear. But, we do know that once there is a change and a penitent heart, we are given salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ.
Because of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we can bask in his grace and mercy. As the people of Judah faced the tragedy of their crops being destroyed, we, too, will face tragic judgement, if we do not accept his grace through his son, Jesus Christ. His grace is available to us forever.
