PODCAST
A Heart For God
January 13th, 2020
Joel 2:12-22
The prophet Joel is a man of mystery. We don’t really know anything about him. He is among the minor prophets. That Joel is underappreciated does not mean, however, that there is not much for us to learn and grow from this book.
The beginning of Joel sets up the problem; Israel has been invaded by locusts (1:1 12), there is no food (1:16), and fire is destroying the land (1:19 and 2:3). Then we get to a declaration from God, “Even now . . . return to me with all your heart, . . . Rend your heart and not your garments” (2:12a, 13a).
God is calling His people back to Him. He wants more than an outward show of repentance; He wants the people’s hearts to be changed. When this happens God will turn and bless the people. God’s response to a heart turned toward Him is a restoration of all that was destroyed and burned.
God is calling us to rend our hearts, to do more than just go through the motions of faith. Rather, He desires that with our whole hearts we turn to Him, love Him, and serve Him.
Author: Jennifer Couchman
