“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish…..But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, for some on Mount Zion in Jerusalem will escape, just as the Lord has said. These will be among the survivors whom the Lord has called.” Joel 2:13, 32 NLT
These two verses are jam packed with so many truths. The first truth is that the Lord wants our heart. The Lord is also merciful, compassionate, slow to anger, filled with an unfailing love, quick to forgive, and He is our saviour. Tucked in among all these truths is a promise. A promise that, upon repentance and calling out to the Lord, He will forgive us of our sins.
To tear something is a visible action. Anyone who looks at something that has been torn, can no mistake that it has been changed or altered. May we tear our hearts due to the shame we feel for what we have done; separating us from our sin, becoming a new creation through our Lord and Saviour, Christ Jesus.
Lock Your Wings 
Great thoughts.
This stood out for me: “Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem! Rejoice in the Lord your God! For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness. Once more the autumn rains will come, as well as the rains of spring.”
Joel 2:23 NLT
We’ve had a dry spell. Literally and figuratively. Our land is dry, forest fires have started, and farmers are anxious for a down pour. Our spirits are weary from restrictions, loneliness/anger/divisions have started, and people are anxious for a release of Covid restrictions. God is faithful. Joy (and rain) will come in the morning and this season of dry-ness will (eventually) end.
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