How can we "return and relent" in our personal repentance journey today? Setting the Scene • “Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing behind Him — grain and drink offerings for the LORD your God” (Joel 2:14). • The prophet has just urged Judah, “Return to Me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12) and reminded them that God “relents from sending disaster” (Joel 2:13). • Scripture presents two movements: our returning, and God’s relenting. Both remain wonderfully possible today through Christ. God’s Heart Behind the Call • Gracious and compassionate (Joel 2:13). • Slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion (Joel 2:13). • Desires to forgive, not to punish (2 Peter 3:9; Isaiah 55:6-7). • Demonstrates patience so that repentance can unfold. What Returning Looks Like Today • Turning the whole person — mind, will, emotions — back toward God. • Rejecting outward show and yielding inward reality: “Rend your hearts, and not your garments” (Joel 2:13). • Mourning sin rather than merely its consequences (2 Corinthians 7:10). • Choosing to forsake specific behaviors, habits, and thought patterns (Proverbs 28:13). • Running to the finished work of Christ, where cleansing is secured (1 John 1:9). Relenting Within: Our Side of Surrender Relent originally describes God’s mercy, yet we mirror it by laying down resistance: • Relent from self-justification: stop defending sinful choices. • Relent from self-reliance: cease trying to fix spiritual brokenness by personal effort alone. • Relent from bitterness: release grudges so God’s forgiveness can flow (Ephesians 4:32). • Relent from delay: choose immediate obedience rather than gradual negotiation with conviction (Acts 3:19). Practical Steps Toward Returning 1. Honest inventory – Invite the Spirit to search the heart (Psalm 139:23-24). 2. Confession by name – Speak sins plainly to God, without euphemism (1 John 1:9). 3. Fasting and focused time – Joel’s call included fasting; abstaining sharpens spiritual attention (Matthew 6:16-18). 4. Tangible restitution – Restore what sin damaged whenever possible (Luke 19:8). 5. Fresh submission to Scripture – Daily alignment with God’s revealed will (Psalm 119:9-11). 6. Ongoing fellowship – Walk with believers who encourage holiness (Hebrews 10:24-25). When God Relents: Anticipated Fruit • Inner assurance of forgiveness and restored joy (Psalm 51:12). • Fresh capacity to worship — “grain and drink offerings” replaced by heartfelt praise (Joel 2:14). • Visible restoration in areas previously devoured by sin (Joel 2:25). • Increased usefulness for kingdom purposes (2 Timothy 2:21). • Testimony that stirs others toward repentance (Acts 26:20). Living a Lifestyle of Repentance • Keep short accounts: daily confession prevents hardened hearts. • Let the Word recalibrate motives and choices (James 1:22-25). • Celebrate grace: gratitude fuels obedience far more than guilt. • Maintain expectancy: God still “leaves a blessing behind Him” (Joel 2:14) whenever His people return and relent. |
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