"But even now," says the LORD, "repent sincerely and return to me with fasting and weeping and mourning. Let your broken heart show your sorrow; tearing your clothes is not enough."

Come back to the LORD your God. He is kind and full of mercy; he is patient and keeps his promise; he is always ready to forgive and not punish. Perhaps the LORD your God will change his mind and bless you with abundant crops. Then you can offer him grain and wine.

Blow the trumpet on Mount Zion; give orders for a fast and call an assembly! Gather the people together; prepare them for a sacred meeting; bring the old people; gather the children and the babies too. Even newly married couples must leave their homes and come.

The priests, serving the LORD between the altar and the entrance of the Temple, must weep and pray: "Have pity on your people, LORD. Do not let other nations despise us and mock us by saying, 'Where is your God?'"

Joel 2:12-17

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is regarded as the anniversary of the day that God created the world. The celebration begins with a blast of the shofar (ram's horn) to announce that the God who created the world is still the One ruling it. The blowing of the horn begins a ten day period of self-examination and repentance leading to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. The prophet Joel urged people not to just go through the motions of repentance, but to turn from their sins and obey God. In his day, tearing garments was a sign of sorrow for sin. It made a good show, but it did not impress God. He was more concerned with their hearts, just as He is with our hearts today. There is no better way to celebrate God's creation than to let Him re-create your heart through faith in Jesus the Messiah and turn your desires toward Him.

Confession is the key that opens the door to forgiveness.

Our Daily Bread - September 27, 2003