Today's Verse: Joel 2:13

Monday, February 13, 1956

[The Lord declares,] "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
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

One of the most amazing things about our God, the Lord God, is that he is so gracious and compassionate. This is true even when we've "blown it big time." He longs to forgive and cleanse when we sin, not condemn and punish us. His grace rushes to greet our genuine heartbreak and heart change with forgiveness, cleansing, and redemption. But God is not about playing religious games or practicing empty religious rituals that are not heartfelt. Our repentance must come from a heart genuinely committed to turn back to the Lord and live for him!

My Prayer...

Dear Father, when I sin, please help me see my sin as you see it. I want my heart to break over my sin when I've rebelled against you. I don't want to ever become callused or cold to your graciousness. I always want to appreciate the high cost you paid to redeem, forgive, and cleanse me with your grace in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Rend your hearts.
Illustration of Joel 2:13
Inspirational illustration of Joel 2:13 -- 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.
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Devo: Together in Christ
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Illustration

Illustration of Joel 2:13 — [The Lord declares,] "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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, February 13, 1956

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Sabbath Rest' (He. 3:7-4:11)
"Dear Father, I long to enter into your rest - into creative work that is effortless, into joyous activity in which there is no fatigue, into glorious..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'A Shelter for the Oppressed!' (Ps. 9:9-10)
"The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'God's Instruction' (1 Th. 4:8)
"Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Including the Disciples of John the Baptizer in the Family of Jesus'
"While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers...."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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