When I Rent My Heart and Returned to the Lord
Scripture Passage: Joel 2:12-17 (NASB)
12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping, and mourning;
13 And tear your heart and not merely your garments.”
Now return to the Lord your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in mercy
And relenting of catastrophe.
14 Who knows, He might turn and relent,
And leave a blessing behind Him,
Resulting in a grain offering and a drink offering
For the Lord your God.
15 Blow a trumpet in Zion,
Consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly,
16 Gather the people, sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the children and the nursing infants.
Have the groom come out of his room
And the bride out of her bridal chamber.
17 Let the priests, the Lord’s ministers,
Weep between the porch and the altar,
And let them say, “Spare Your people, Lord,
And do not make Your inheritance a disgrace,
With the nations jeering at them.
Why should those among the peoples say,
‘Where is their God?’”
SUMMARY
Joel speaks on behalf for God to His people- that despite the terror and the gloom of what is ahead, he shows a way of escape and hope. If His people return to the Lord with all their heart with fasting, mourning and weeping, they have a chance. This can only be possible because of the gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness nature of our God. Joel calls people of all ages and duties to gather and seek God’s mercy that He may spare His people.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
“And rend your heart and not your garments.” Joel 2:13
We understand from our studies from the book of the Old Testament, that the “rending of one's garment” was a custom of outer expression of deep mourning. We see examples of this in Job 1:20 when Job hears from his servants one at a time-barrage of news of deaths and tragedies to his children and all of his possessions.
We also see this act in Acts 14:14 where both Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd shouting that they were just human, like the people and that they needed to worship the living God instead for the miracle of a healed lame man.
It made me think, when was the last time I ever tore my clothes (rend my heart)? Anyone can rend their clothes but not everyone can rend their heart. I remember rending my heart as my daughters faced a total of 5 brain surgeries. It brought me to my knees and total dependence on the mercies of God. Either God gives me the strength to live, if He chooses to call them home, or He gives them a second chance at life. No possession or person could console my breaking heart. As I repented and gave my broken heart to Him, He restored me.
Reflecting back on His abounding loving kindness now humbles me. As we read from these verses, I’m compelled to rend my heart more often than I thought I needed...
Psalms 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalms 26:2
“Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind...”
Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
It almost looks as though we are hopeless, but this is the Father’s heart and remedy for us. He says in Isaiah 54:10,
“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
Isn’t the Lord so perfect, timely and faithful? Isn’t His love a gentle and earnest invitation to return to Him?
Does He not bind our wounds after He disciplines us for love’s sake?
APPLICATION
When I am at my lowest point, I have nothing to lose when I cry out to God, and I have everything to gain from His richness.
I’m discerning through today’s passage that my repentance is not only for emergencies in my life but must be an ongoing confession and surrendering. So I will confess His greatness along with my weakness and propensity to sin and falling away from Him daily. I will also thank Him for His invitations to return to Him and for restoring my relationship with Him.
PRAYER
Thank you Lord that you are near to those who are broken-hearted. My heart is not where it needs to be. It’s proud, selfish and prone to wandering; please forgive Lord. Restore my heart back to You. I accept Your invitation to come to You with all my burdens and confess my sins to You alone. It is my prayer as the psalmist conceded “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Thank you for restoring us back to You, time and time again, and for that, we are forever indebted and in love with You.
Amen.
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