Torn To Mend!

What are ways you commonly think of that indicate sorrowful repentance for sin? A sad, downcast look? Tears flowing down the face? Loud, intense weeping? Wearing sack-cloth with ashes sprinkled on the head? Rending (tearing) the garments? Praying? Fasting? Besides these, some religions have come up with certain things to recite or various deeds to be done, but what’s the thing for which God truly looks? Each one of the things listed above could be done without any real desire to change. These things could indicate sorrow to the world, yet hypocritically mean nothing to the individual and therefore be vain to God.

God, speaking through the prophet Joel, described what He is still most looking for:
“(12) ‘Yet even now,’ declares the LORD, ‘return to me WITH ALL YOUR HEART, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; (13) and REND YOUR HEARTS AND NOT YOUR GARMENTS.’ Return to the LORD, your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” ( Joel 2:12-13 ESV)

It is our HEART that must be affected. It is our HEART that must be touched. The sorrow must be more than a surface thing. It must be viewed as a deep thing in relation to God in order to bring about the life changes He desires. Be encouraged though that as we are cut in HEART He will not leave us bleeding. His desire is to heal the sin-sick soul.

Let us not harden our HEART, leaving it unable to be cut or torn. When our HEART is torn by guilt, let us thank God we have seen as we should. Then let us look to God for help in moving the direction He desires as He mends our HEART, lifts the burden of guilt from us, and renews our spirit by the power of His grace and mercy.

Have a great day WITH A TOUCHABLE HEART BEFORE GOD!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 08/21/1998 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

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