ESOCS Devotional 9 April 2022
TEXT: JOEL 2:12-17
MEMORY VERSE: “Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” Joel 2:12 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
To return to God is to repent of identified sins and confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour of your life. The Bible says that we make confession unto salvation and we believe unto righteousness (Romans 10:9, 10). In our text, we read of the call of God to Israel during the time of the Persian Empire to sincerely repent of their sins and return to Him (v 12).
We serve a God who is lovely and merciful. He would rather forgive and save than punish and destroy. Thus, in repentance, we are required to identify the sin we are into, realize that the very conduct is against the will of God; show remorse from the depth of our heart in a manner that our appearance will confirm remorse, and then surrender to the will of God (v 13; Psalm 51: 16,17)
If we ever desire the blessings of God, the best way to have access to it is to do a self-examination of our live in all aspects, and see what and what sin we can repent of. We cannot remain in identified sin and think that God will send His blessing. God has reward for both unrepentant sinner and for a repented believer. The choice is ours to make (v 14).
As a truly converted Christian, you have a duty to preach this gospel of repentance and faith in God to all people. This has to begin in the Church. We should not keep quiet when sin thrives in our church, family, and society (vs. 15-17; Mark16:5, 16.)
- How often do you do a self-examination of your life?
- Father, open my eyes to see my errors, give me a heart of true repentance, in Jesus Name. Amen.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Matthews 6:16-21; Isaiah 5:11-16; Luke 12:45-47
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ESOCS Devotional 9 April 2022
