Even Now

Scripture:
“’Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 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 2:12–13
 
Observation:
The prophet Joel tells of the destruction and invasion of his land by a plague of locusts and invading armies. He goes on to declare that the Lord is ready and willing to forgive and restore His people to Himself. God’s people are told to return to Him with their hearts, and not just their garments or outward rituals.
 
Application:
All throughout the scriptures, God continues to amaze me with His compassion and enduring love. Though His people continue to betray and ignore His promises, He continues to forgive them and restore them to His love. What an awesome God!  
 
Even now. Even now, when you may be in the worst sin of your life. Even now, when you have forsaken God for the past 5 years to go your own direction. He still wants you to come to Him! I get emotional just thinking of this crazy love He has for His children. Thinking back on my past sins and how Christ pulled me out and brought me back to His fellowship, it is nothing short of a miracle. We don’t have to complete any rituals or try to be holy enough before we come to Him. He only wants our hearts to be completely His – no work required.
 
Prayer:
Oh Father, your compassions never fail and your love endures forever. Thank you for your love and for desiring my heart, even as undesirable as it is at times. Help me to remember how you want my heart, not any rituals or outward works. Give me the boldness to tell others about your love – those who need this restoration with you. “Because of your great love we are not overwhelmed, for your compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam 3:22-23)  

— Jason Elam, worship pastor, Clinton campus