Today's Verse: Joel 2:13

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Our Donation Drive Ends Tomorrow...

There's still time to give! We value and appreciate your support.

 Donate Now
[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
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Merciful and Compassionate
Devo: Passion for Praise
"Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love."
Spurgeon AM Devo for Dec. 18th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"GARMENT-RENDING and other outward signs of religious emotion, are easily manifested and are frequently hypocritical; but to feel true repentance is..."
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.
Return to Me!
Devo: Together in Christ
"That is why the Lord says, "Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don't tear your..."

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 Thursday, February 13, 2020

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Author Unknown:
"Anyone can count the seeds in an apple... but only God can count the apples in a seed."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Jesus Endured Much, so You Can, Too' (He. 12:2-3)
"We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'A Benefit to Others' (2 Co. 12:11-13:4)
"Dear Father, Help me to gladly spend and be spent for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me not to burden them nor to seek what is theirs, but....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'How Did You Receive the Spirit?' (Ga. 3:2)
"I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? "

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.

More Today's Verse