“Return To Me”
The
Lord announces to his people, "Return to me with all your heart. There is
still time. Do not eat any food. Sob and cry."
Don't just tear your clothes to show how sad you are. Let your hearts be
broken. Return to the Lord your God. He is gracious. He is tender and kind. He
is slow to get angry. He is full of love. He takes pity on you. He won't
destroy you.
Who knows? He might turn toward you and have pity on you. He might even give
you his blessing. Then you can bring grain offerings and drink offerings to the
Lord your God.
Priests, blow the trumpets in
Bring them together. Set all of them apart to me. Bring together the elders.
Gather the children and the babies who are still nursing. Let the groom leave
his bedroom. Let the bride leave their marriage bed.
Let the priests who serve the Lord sob. Let them cry between the temple porch
and the altar. Let them say, "Lord, spare your people. Don't let others
make fun of them. Don't let the nations laugh at them. Don't let them tease
your people and say, 'Where is their God?'"
Joel 2:12-17
Do
you look and listen for the warning lights in your life? Is God trying to get
your attention, but maybe you are not watching, waiting, or listening for His
gentle words to you?
Pay
attention to what is going on in your life. Don’t become so smug that you think
your success is due to your own efforts. What warning lights are flashing in your
life? What needs to be tuned up or repaired through confession and repentance?
Conviction is God’s warning light.
Our Daily Bread –