Joel Chapter 2: Verse 13 (NLT)
Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.
There are times when it is right to put a face on things – maybe we don’t want to upset someone who has cooked us a meal that isn’t a favourite, or we think our friend doesn’t suit the new outfit they bought. But there are definitely times when we need to be completely open and honest. That’s when we know we have done something wrong. We know we need to apologise, ask for forgiveness and put things right. That’s what God expects us to do and He is ready and willing to forgive us.
But He knows when we are serious about it, and when we are just going through the motions. Just like we know when we ask a child so say sorry if they’ve done something wrong and its sometimes done because they have to, not because they want to.
There are times when we are glad that God doesn’t look at the outside but at the heart, and there are other times when we find that difficult. But the thing that we should always remember is that God is indeed mercy and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. If we are real with Him about how we feel, He will help us to do the right thing. There’s far more pressure putting on a face than there is about being sincere.
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your mercy and compassion. Help me to show mercy and grace to others who may have hurt me, and to be real and sincere when I mess up and need to put things right. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.