by Dane Massey
(Dane Massey is the former Pastor of Mulvane Christian Church. He is now in ministry in Houston, Texas.)
Today I find my thoughts captivated by Joel 2:12:
“Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:”
This is the opening verse to the context of Peter’s description of what happened the day of Pentecost. (Compare Joel 2:28-32 with Acts 2:16-21). As we can see, the beginning of it all is with the heart.
Joel has detailed the nation’s sin and the devastating judgement that has resulted (Joel 1:1-2:11). Then the riveting challenge ushers from his voice and pen:
“EVEN NOW!!”
“EVEN NOW” – in view of our sin!
“EVEN NOW” – in view of the devastating judgement that is upon the nation!
“EVEN NOW” – in view of the heart of God and His character:
“…….turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil.” (Vs.13)
It is not God’s heart to judge but to be merciful. Will we not turn unto Him with all our hearts? If not now, when? NOW! Not later, not tomorrow but NOW! There is an urgency here!
D.L. Moody and R.A. Torrey believed that the coming of God’s Presence, the Holy Spirit, upon the church at Pentecost was not a “one-time event in history, but a prototype of what should be a reoccurring event in the life of the church. That it may or may not produce the same outward signs but would result in the same end:
Life-changing preaching of the gospel (Acts 2:14-36).
Deep, penetrating conviction of sin (Acts 2:37).
True Life-transforming conversions (Acts 2:38-42).
A Dynamic, living community of believers (Acts 2: 43-47).
All this however flows from lives that have “turned unto Him with all their heart” (Joel 2:12)
How does one turn to Him with all their heart? I find here, that my heart, is exactly as Jeremiah described it:
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jer. 17:9).
My heart is a slippery, deceitful thing that I cannot capture. It takes on many forms when I attempt:
The Performing Heart – (Isa. 29:13, Matt. 15:8) It will perform with outward acts and not be changed. It will rend its outward garments and stay the same (Joel 2:13). It loves to put on a good show.
The Bargaining Heart – (Ps. 66:13-14) When things are desperate my heart will bargain with God. I’ll strike a deal, vow some vows, anything to get some relief but when the pressure is off, will I pay the vows? Has my heart really been changed or was I just bargaining with God?
The Distracted Heart – (Matt. 13:32, II Tim. 2:3-4) my heart is incredibly fickle. I can be desperate for God one minute and instantly on to something else the next. The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches can quickly distract my heart.
The Hardened Heart – (Hosea 10:12, Heb. 3:13,12:15) My heart quickly becomes hardened toward God when I’m not treated as I think I should be, don’t receive what I think I deserve, etc… then I just start going through the outward motions but my heart is far from Him.
As I think on this slippery heart of mine, I’m convinced of one thing: My problem is deeper and more desperate than I thought!
To turn unto the Lord with my whole heart seems so simple on the surface but my heart is not whole, it is fractured in millions of pieces. I cannot capture it. It is wild beyond my reach.
I find myself once again at Augustine’s prayer: “You God, must supply what You have commanded!”
He alone can capture and tame my heart. He alone can turn my heart wholly unto Him. I lay my cause and my heart before Him. Will He come? Will He do it?
My heart turns again to Joel 2:13. This is who He is. Can He do any less?
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