The Word for today is found in Joel 2: 12-17
“ Now, therefore,” says the LORD,
“ Turn to Me with all your heart,
With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.”
So rend your heart, and not your garments;
Return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness;
And He relents from doing harm.
Who knows if He will turn and relent,
And leave a blessing behind Him—
A grain offering and a drink offering
For the LORD your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion,
Consecrate a fast,
Call a sacred assembly;
Gather the people,
Sanctify the congregation,
Assemble the elders,
Gather the children and nursing babes;
Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber,
And the bride from her dressing room.
Let the priests, who minister to the LORD,
Weep between the porch and the altar;
Let them say, “Spare Your people, O LORD,
And do not give Your heritage to reproach,
That the nations should rule over them.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘ Where is their God?’”
Joel’s prophecies explain how a people must deal with corporate sin.
His prophetic warnings and exhortations are addressed primarily to the spiritual leaders. He calls them first to lead in wholehearted repentance, and then to confront the people’s sin.
Corporate fasts and solemn assemblies to cry out to the Lord are some of the practices Joel recommends to deal with corporate sin.
In Chapter 2:12-14 Joel tells us to repent quickly with mourning when sin is discovered in us. Confess our sin and let God work in our heart. Continually turn to God and set our affections on His will and His ways.
And in Chapter 2:15-17 Joel calls for revival. Enjoin the elders to lead in fasting and prayer.
Love in Christ, Pastor Louise.
Life in Christ 