Moments of Meditation — 02/15/2024

Broadcast

                            Repent - Part 4
                             Joel 2:15-17
                              02/15/2024


        15   Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call
             a solemn assembly;
        16   gather the people.  Consecrate the congregation;
             assemble the elders; gather the children, even
             nursing infants.  Let the bridegroom leave his
             room, and the bride her chamber.
        17   Between the vestibule and the altar let the
             priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say,
             ``Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your
             heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations.
             Why should they say among the peoples, `Where is
             their God?'''  (ESV)

        Too many people believe if they simply go to church on
   Christmas and Easter that they are pleasing God.  Nothing can be
   farther from the truth.  All have sinned and fallen short of the
   glory of God, all need to repent.

        Easter is meaningless without the sure and certain knowledge
   that we are the ones who caused Jesus to be nailed to the cross.
   The good news of His death and resurrection for our redemption
   cannot be understood unless we truly prepare by knowing of our
   need for a Savior.

        The prophet Joel wrote:
        Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a
        solemn assembly; gather the people.  Consecrate the
        congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children,
        even nursing infants.  Let the bridegroom leave his
        room, and the bride her chamber.

        Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests,
        the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, ``Spare your
        people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach,
        a byword among the nations.  Why should they say among
        the peoples, `Where is their God?'''


        No one is exempt from appearing before the Lord in
   repentance.  The elders, the children, infants, those
   celebrating, those mourning all are called upon to repent and
   throw themselves on God's mercy.  Know that the ministers of the
   LORD are praying for your redemption, and are lifting up their
   congregations to God for His grace.

        May our Lord grant you the pure desire to come before Him in
   repentance.  Amen.