The devotion of the fourth day of Lent invites us, in God’s own words, to return to him. He awaits every prodigal with love and forgiveness. God is calling you. Let us seize that chance today.
Devotional for the Fourth Day of Lent
“Even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Who knows? He may turn and relent
and leave behind a blessing—
grain offerings and drink offerings
for the Lord your God. (Joel 2:12-14)
God is Calling You
The book of Joel contains a powerful call to repentance and restoration. In these verses, God invites His people to return to Him with all their hearts through fasting, weeping, and mourning. He encourages them to rend their hearts and not just their garments, emphasizing the need for genuine, heartfelt repentance.
God’s call to repentance is not a call to fear or condemnation but a call to return to His loving arms. He reminds us of His gracious and compassionate nature and willingness to relent from sending calamity upon us. We are reminded that God’s love is steadfast and unfailing and that even in our darkest moments, He is with us, ready to bring healing and restoration.
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
As we reflect on these verses, we are reminded of the importance of repentance in our own lives. We are all imperfect and fall short of God’s standards. But through repentance, we can turn away from our mistakes and shortcomings and toward God’s abundant grace and love.
Let us respond to God’s call to repentance with open hearts, ready to receive His forgiveness and restoration. Let us approach Him with humility and sincerity, recognizing our need for His love and guidance. And as we return to Him, let us trust in His faithfulness and goodness, knowing He will bless us beyond measure and bring us to new levels of joy and abundance.
May we all be inspired to heed God’s call to repentance and restoration, and may we experience the fullness of His love and grace in our lives.
Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, as we reflect on Your call to repentance and restoration, we come before You with humble hearts. We recognize our need for Your grace and mercy and ask for Your forgiveness for our sins and shortcomings.
Help us to turn away from our mistakes and to return to You with all our hearts. Give us the strength to rend our hearts and to seek You with fasting, weeping, and mourning. May we experience the fullness of Your love and compassion, and may You bring healing and restoration to our lives.
We trust in Your faithfulness and goodness and thank You for Your abundant blessings. May Your grace and love guide us, and may we be a testament to Your great mercy and compassion. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
