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
It has to be emphasised again and again that sin brings reproach, punishment and eternal separation from God. It does not matter who you are or what God has done in and for you in the past; remaining in sin and rebellion towards God is a very dangerous state. The people of Israel here were promised rest in their land as long as they remained faithful, but as we know, it was a constant cycle of repent from sin, return to sin, punishment, then another cycle. Yet in all of these, God did not totally reject his people. This is God: always merciful and ready to forgive and restore. Let none think s/he can live above sin by sheer power or might; we need the help of God to live right, and He will keep providing all that I need for life and Godliness if I will keep depending on Him.
When he says: 'Turn Now', it means I had turned away before and he is asking me to retrace my steps back to him before it is too late. The events around the world show that we don't have as much as time as we may think we do. God does not measure time the same way we do, and it will do me good to key into God's idea of time so I can access all that He has provided. If I do not turn to Him, how can I see all He desires to show me or what He wants me to do or become? When I turn to Him, all other distortions and distractions have to lose their appeal and attraction. When I turn to Him, my heart must wholly turn to Him. It cannot be a partial turn, with my heart divided between two opposing positions. It cannot be one leg in with God and the other with the world. God does not do partial commitment, as He is a jealous God who WILL NOT share his praise with anything or anyone else.
The attitude of turning is also laid out here: with fasting, weeping and mourning. A man who truly does these things is not concerned with how he looks to men or what their views or opinions are. He is focused on God, who he is seeking sincerely. Let it not be that I am too distracted by the applause of men that I do not sincerely seek God. Let it not be that I am more concerned with what men say than what God wants. At the end of it all, whose view matters? Would it be that of mortal men like myself, who will also stand for judgment, or the God who will judge all men? This is the God who calls me to Himself, and it is an awesome privilege to be called by the Most High to turn to Him. He has all that I need, and He alone can guarantee eternal life. I am better off with him than without him. If he says turn, He is ready to receive and favour me. He cannot lie, and He will not turn away any one who sincerely seeks Him. Would you turn? God's time of favour is here.
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