This is My Hope

Scripture:
Even now—
this is the Lord’s declaration—
turn to me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.
Tear your hearts,
not just your clothes,
and return to the Lord your God.
For he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger, abounding in faithful love,
and he relents from sending disaster.
Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave a blessing behind him,
so you can offer a grain offering and a drink offering
to the Lord your God.
Joel 2:12-14

Observation: As Joel pronounces the word of the Lord - that the past famines have been a warning to Israel, and the coming catastrophes are because of their disobedience - he provides hope. The Lord may and can turn aside from such action. If the people return to the Lord - not just lament by tearing their clothes in anguish, but repent by tearing their hearts in passion - he is gracious and compassionate. He can not only relent, but bless. This is the hope of Joel.

Application: As I so often recently have expressed dire fear and frustration about our current age and state of faith in the U.S., I can still declare this is my hope ... that we as a people would observe the warnings, tear our hearts, and return to the Lord as our source of truth, hope, guidance, security, morality, and love. Again I say, this is my hope.

Prayer: Lord, despite how bleak the world looks, and how desolate the path of our society has become, I know you desire our return as a people to you. I know you long for every individual to seek you, to place faith in Jesus, and to define their love for others as you have taught. I also know the power and authority of the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts and lives of everyone. May his hope become results. Amen.