Joel 2:13a (ESV) — "… and rend your hearts and not your garments.”
NOTE: During a
period of mourning or a fast or repentance, it was common practice to tear your
clothes open, "rend your garments." The problem with people is that
we take a heart response and make it into an action or a works, as if
worshipping God was mechanical and prescribed. There is no reality in this, at
least not with God. People don't understand that God is not a religion, he is a
person with emotion, intellect, and will. He sees through our shams and
pretenses. He is not fooled. The only person who is fooled by our
"works" are the individuals involved. They will stand before the Lord
Jesus on the day of judgment complaining about all the things they had done in
his name, and Jesus will cast them out saying, "I never knew you." Oh
Church, we need to stop rending garments and start rending our hearts.
PRAYER: Father, open
the eyes of the church, and the so-called church (the birds nesting in the
branches). Open our eyes to the reality of the unseen. Help us to grow weary of
the seen. Show us the meaninglessness of the wares of this world. May we desire
you instead.
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