Turn to God!

Turn to God!

Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Joel 2:12 KJV

These are strange times. We are now in the times God referred to as the perilous times. All the signs that were foretold by God through the prophets of the old testament, such as Daniel, Joel and Ezekiel, as well as messengers in the new testament such as Paul and John, and even Jesus as he spoke to his disciples toward the end of his earthly ministry, are now being fulfilled in our eyes. It is as if the earth is quaking and it is unsure how to respond. The lesson here is this: whatever it is that God promises will surely come to pass. I cannot look to men for comfort and encouragement that can only come from God. Man has no assurance it can provide, because he cannot even secure his own tomorrow. 

Joel here too speaks about the day of the Lord, and it is not pretty. It is a day that the strength and wisdom of man will fail miserably. The troubles that are part of these perilous times do not respect strength, vigour, knowledge, connection, insight or influence. The day of the Lord is terror to those who are not ready for it. The day will come with so much trouble that the hearts of men will fail them for fear. Just one picture will suffice from the chapter where today's extract is taken: part of the trouble that is coming will be like devastating fire that will burn. When it comes, it will meet a place like the garden of Eden, but by the time it passes, the place is made a desolate wilderness. If the day will then have this effect on the earth, what is that thing that the earth offers that should consume my heart so much as to distract it? What can the earth that itself will be destroyed secure for me? 

That is why today's extract is the perfect message for the times we are in now. God says to me, just as he says to you, and to everyone else: turn to me with all your heart. The word: turn raises the picture that at a time, the person being spoken to here had once been focused on God, but due to worries, anxiety, or even the cares of this world, s/he had been distracted. While there is time to do so, God counsels us to return to him. While there is still the dispensation of grace and mercy, God asks me to turn unto Him. Turning requires a complete change of direction, pursuit and purpose. I have to let go of the things that used to hold my heart so I can take hold of those things that are of eternal value. 

And God, as we should know by now, does not take anything less than all. I cannot turn to God with half of my heart and expect God to give me his all. When it comes to the question of eternity, it is my response to God that defines his response to me. In turning to the Lord, fasting, weeping and mourning are mentioned. These three portray the picture of self-denial and total submission to God. It is an admission that I need help, and that the One I turn to is the only one who can help. It is an attitude change; one that says to God that I totally surrender to his wisdom, leading and directives. I seek him out with all my heart, sorry for my sins, and depending on his grace not to return to sin. Fasting is denying myself what would usually be my daily routine, so as to seek God. Weeping and mourning are outward expressions of inner convictions. When God has been able to do a work inside of me, there is no doubt as to the impact it will have on my outside. 

So the choice has to be made: who do I turn to? Would it be to the world's system, with its false tokens of safety and security, or to the One who calls himself my refuge and fortress? I really don't have much time; God really has not promised us eternity on this earth as it is presently constituted. A new heaven and a new earth are coming, wherein will reign righteousness. I don't have forever on this present earth to make up my mind; NOW is the day of salvation. I must turn now, while I have the power of choice. A day is coming, that day of the Lord, when I will not have the power to choose anymore, and only eternal judgment may remain. Turn now, for God's time of favour is here.