Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Joel 1-3: Rend Your Heart

 Rend your heart
   and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
   for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
   and he relents from sending calamity
. - Joel 2:13 NIV


In ancient times, it was a sign of despair to tear one's garments; to take off the cloak one was wearing and rip it so it was unwearable.  The prophet Joel is saying it is our heart that should be shredded.  What does it mean to have our hearts torn up?  Would that make us become tender hearted, having our heart torn to pieces?  Is that what we need?  If our heart is torn, would we care more for others than for ourselves?  If our heart is torn, would we care more for the things of God than for the things of the world?  If our heart is torn, would we care?

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