stephen R Harrison

“To The Lord”

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

–Joel 2:12

If someone asked you to list the top three words associated with Easter, would repentance make the list? It is likely to not even be in the top ten. Words like Jesus, crucifixion, and resurrection would be expected from Christ’s followers. They may also use words like family, bunny, and baskets. While not an “exciting” Easter word, it is an “exceptional” word. 

Repentance, simply put, is “changing one’s mind”. It leads to “changing one’s actions” (Acts 26:20). In repentance, we change our minds about Jesus, moving from thinking His death, burial, and resurrection are merely historical or irrelevant to personal and necessary as we change our minds about our sins. God’s gift of repentance causes us to see ourselves as sinners needing forgiveness and salvation. Repentance is exceptional as it leads us to Jesus, the only way to the Father (John 14:6). 

Lent is a season of preparation, remembering the horror of Jesus’ death and the Good News of his resurrection as he defeated sin and its devastating effects. It is a season of reflection and repentance. Lent calls us back to the Lord. The prophet Joel was a mouthpiece of God, calling those far from him to “return to me with all your heart” (2:12). The verse begins with “even now,” declaring it is never too late to turn back to God. Why was Joel’s message of returning to the Lord so urgent? Joel 1 announced an extraordinary plague of locusts that devoured the land. Joel 2 announced something worse: “The Day of the Lord is coming” (2:1), far worse than locusts. It was “a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness . . . such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come” (2:2). God’s judgment on sin was impending! 

Just when it seemed overwhelming, Joel reminded them about repentance, the incredible gift of returning to the Lord. If they would “rend their hearts” (inward) and not their garments (outward) (2:13), they would find a God who was “gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love”, a God who “relents from sending calamity”. Joel 2:14 gives hope: “Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing.” 

Through Christ, the only one who could have taken the devastation and death caused by sin and defeated them on the cross, we find forgiveness, cleansing, hope, and renewal. Only Jesus brings new life where devastation had been! Instead of imminent doom and destruction, we are met by His grace, compassion, and love. As the Apostle Paul said, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). 

As you begin Lent, begin with repentance, continue in repentance, and develop a habit of repentance. Return to the Lord and receive his compassion, grace, and love as you turn away from sin.

Questions: 

In what way do you need to repent as you begin Lent? 

Are your Easter perspective and priorities out of order?

How could preparing for Easter help you? 

Prayer:

Jesus, we repent of our sins. We are thankful for your gift of salvation, the forgiveness of sins, made available through the cross. Thank you for your compassion, grace, and love. Because of your great salvation, help us return to you in all ways – in every area of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Action Step:List any sins Jesus has forgiven and any grace you received in their place.