"Yet even now, says the LORD, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;.."
Joel 2:12 (NRSV)
Prodigal Thoughts: Did you catch that? God doesn’t need you to "fix everything" or "get your life straightened up" before you come to Him. The book of Joel was written about 800 years before Jesus came on the scene. (You can read more about Joel HERE.) A lot of things were going pretty badly around Judah and Jerusalem and God speaks through the prophet Joel words of encouragement and refuge. It really reminds me a lot of the hope that people need to hear, especially the victims of the recent flooding in Tennessee, victims of Hurricane Ida, the Afghan people, and so many others who are suffering such harsh loss and devastation. Our heavenly Father is telling His children that they can come to Him in their weakness and fragility. God is just waiting on us to turn our hearts to Him. The encouragement Joel speaks in chapters 2 & 3 speak of God restoring the land as well as our relationships with the Creator. So, did God make those things happen? By NO means! He lets nature take its course. Is the Father saddened by all of the tragic loss? Absolutely! I’m sure the eyes of our Father are wet with tears as He sees His children trying to put their lives back together and He stands ready…waiting on us to come to Him.
Prayer for today: Father, I pray for all of those around the world who are dealing with such tragic loss and destruction, but also for those who the situations of life have caused painful wounds and battle scars (physical AND emotional/mental). I thank You that You are standing at the ready for us to call out to You. I pray that we would better understand the importance of a hope-filled relationship with You and that we would turn our hearts and lives over into Your nail-scarred hands. I know that there is no part of our life that we cannot place in Your trust. We give all of this to You. Please glorify Your name and Your kingdom. Amen!
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God’s grace on you…
Prodigal Mike~
Prodigal Thinker 