Tear your hearts

“Tear your hearts….” The words grab my attention. 

I’m reading the Word of the Lord that came to the prophet. Joel. 

Judgment approaches. The Day of the Lord is coming. And God extends the invitation to return to Him. 

Even now.

In this season. Advent. As we wait and watch. Anticipating the coming of the Savior.

All

“Turn to Me with all your heart….” 

Not just a piece or portion. 

But all. All your heart.

And “with fasting, weeping, and mourning” (Joel 2:12).

Outward

“Turn to Me….” 

But He knows how good we are at outward show. Putting up appearances. Acting like we’re sorry and repentant. 

Surface talk.

So His next words cut to the heart of the matter.

Deeper

“Tear your hearts,
not merely your garments,
and return to the Lord your God.”
Joel 2:13

This physical ripping of clothing spoke grief and sorrow. Over sin and loss. 

But He calls for deeper tearing. Opening wide the heart to His examination.

Godly sorrow that leads to true repentance.

Exposed

Funny how the first thought is to cover over sin. 

Hide the missteps. 

Keep the unholy hidden from others. And from God. 

Like that’s gonna happen. 

“Tear your hearts”? Too revealing. Leaving us exposed. Vulnerable.

Gracious

But God. 

The Old Testament reveals and the New Testament confirms His character. The way of the One who takes our torn hearts in His hands.

“For He is gracious and compassionate, 
slow to anger,
abounding in faithful love,
and He relents from sending disaster.”
Joel 2:13

“The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish
but all to come to repentance.”
2 Peter 2:9

Tear your hearts

To know Him is to love Him. Stand amazed in His presence. Fall on our knees in worship. 

Repentance and belief open our eyes to see.

There is none like Him. And no other name under heaven by which we can be saved. 

Tear your hearts and surrender.

What about you?

Have you resisted tearing your heart open before the Father in repentance? Are you giving Him all? Or just part?

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Wholehearted devotion – dabbling – Seem or be? – Such as it is – Divided heart – Limits – Distracted –