Return to the Lord
Not like the Pharisees do
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“Yet even now,” the Lord says, “return to me with all your heart—with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love—often relenting from calamitous punishment.
Joel 2:12-13 (NET)
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Back in the Bible times, one of the ways people would express their grief was by tearing their own clothes.
It was a way for them to let everyone around them know that they were in deep mourning.
Yet, like so many things, it could be manipulated into an outward display that means little to the person. Similar to Jesus’ teaching against the Pharisee who prays publicly for the reward of other’s admiration instead of genuine prayer to God.
God tells the people to tear their hearts and not their clothes.
Because God knows our hearts — often better than we do — He knows if we’re genuine or not.
So, anytime I look into the “mirror” of God’s law and really face my sin, I’m ashamed. And it leads me to a place of mourning.
I know that Christ paid the penalty for that, but repentance still means a change of heart.
The Holy Spirit helps me change my heart.
He’s also the great Comforter who helps me overcome the times of mourning over my own sin.
Something else:
I rarely return to God in a state of fasting.
Fasting is hard work, requiring a lot of mental discipline. I would think that it’s a solid sign of the inward heart change if I were to add fasting to my repentance.
Of course, not in the way the Pharisees fasted (for outward reward) but in a way that honors God.
Because, at the end of the day, it’s all about our hearts and relationship with God.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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