Return


"That is why the Lord says, 'Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.' Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. he is eager to relent and not punish." Joel 2:12-13 

"Road Closed - Local Traffic Only," said the sign. I looked down the road and I didn't see any construction barrels or cones. No trucks. Nothing. I'm not a huge fan of detours, so I kept plowing ahead. After a few miles, I was feeling really great about my decision to stay the course. Past one more neighborhood then one more turn ... "Yikes!" Bridge out, trucks, construction workers, barrels ... A necessary u-turn back to the right track.   

The prophet Joel, consistent with God's other prophets, was a straight shooter. The people of Israel were headed the wrong way. They were morally bankrupt, command averse, self-consumed and in real danger of God's strong hand of discipline. "Turn back to God!" admonished Joel. They had been going the wrong way for a really long time and had very little concern about what Joel had to say. That was a truly dreadful mistake.

There is a sweetness to sin that keeps us going back for more and more. The sweetness however eventually turns into poison. God loves us and doesn't want that for any of us. He wants us to know his mercy and compassion. He's a God of fresh starts and new beginnings. He sent Jesus to make those possible. However, every fresh start begins with a stop. That is a decision that we must make for ourselves.


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