SCRIPTURE: Joel 2:12-17

OBSERVATIONS

1. (vv.12-14) Joel indicates that there is still time for repentance, still time to turn back God’s plan for judgment. God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
APPLICATION: It is not too late to repent. Whenever I feel conviction, God (Who inspires that sense of conviction) is inviting me to come to Him for mercy. He doesn’t want me to suffer, His anger is not revenge but frustrated love.

2. (vv.12-14) True repentance will not simply be a show (torn clothes) but genuine sorrow with the whole heart. This involves being aware of our guilt and sin, and the corresponding sorrow (fasting, weeping, mourning).
APPLICATION: How much do I feel the weight and burden of my sin, how ugly and shameful my selfish, hurtful, lustful and greedy actions are. Do I take both my shame, and the suffering of Jesus on my behalf, too lightly?

3. (vv.15-17) Every person is called to come to this sacred assembly of repentance. No one, not even nursing babies and the newly married, should be excluded. This shows both the seriousness of the crisis and the sin, but also the extent of its consequences – it affects the whole nation.
APPLICATION: This should remind me that I cannot just criticize the church, I must repent with the church. I must share collective responsibility. This may seem unfair, but then remember, it is through this sacred gathering that the Holy Spirit will be poured out, on everyone (see Joel 2:28-29).

PRAYER:
Lord, help me to remember that humility and repentance is the key to forgiveness and blessing, that denial will only exclude me from experiencing the fullness of Your Spirit’s blessing. Amen.