Return to the Lord
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 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. Who knows whether he will not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind him, a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?
Joel 2:12–14
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Return to the Lord
The Lord shows no partiality. He desires that all turn from their sin in repentance and live. He showers all people of the world with his Word and Spirit. However, the Lord is a jealous God. He desires your whole heart. There is no room for any other gods. He requires that you fear, love, and trust in him above everything else in the world and life. That is a tall order. The devil tempts us to put all our trust in things, to fear that which cannot destroy our soul, and to have confidence in our own works. The world is a ready and willing accomplice to place all kinds of things before our eyes and hearts to put our trust in things made with human hands. Our own hearts betray us because it likes how the worldly pleasures and passions of this life feel. The Lord stands ready to forgive. He cleanses by absolution and restores to righteousness by the work of his Son on the cross. Thanks be to God that he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love for you.
Joel 2:12–14
+
Return to the Lord
The Lord shows no partiality. He desires that all turn from their sin in repentance and live. He showers all people of the world with his Word and Spirit. However, the Lord is a jealous God. He desires your whole heart. There is no room for any other gods. He requires that you fear, love, and trust in him above everything else in the world and life. That is a tall order. The devil tempts us to put all our trust in things, to fear that which cannot destroy our soul, and to have confidence in our own works. The world is a ready and willing accomplice to place all kinds of things before our eyes and hearts to put our trust in things made with human hands. Our own hearts betray us because it likes how the worldly pleasures and passions of this life feel. The Lord stands ready to forgive. He cleanses by absolution and restores to righteousness by the work of his Son on the cross. Thanks be to God that he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love for you.
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