The chapters are whizzing by so quickly, I can hardly keep up... let alone get into them with much depth. However, I'm always convicted afresh as I read Joel 1-2 and Psalm 139.
In both places we see the call to serious heart searching...
"Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who fnoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the LORD your God? Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?" (Joel 2:12-17)
Ellen White writes:
"To prepare a people to stand in the day of God, a great work of reform was to be accomplished. God saw that many of His professed people were not building of re eternity, and in His mercy He was about to send a message of warning to arouse them from their stupor and lead them to make ready for the coming of the Lord." (Great Controversy, p. 311)
But the fast God is calling us to is not in order to afflict the body for the sin of the soul, but rather to aid us in perceiving the grievous character of sin, in humbling the heart before God and receiving His pardoning grace... I always find that when I fast, my mind is more clear, my thinking more clear and I am aware of things I wasn't noticing before... That's why we should fast... to retune our spiritual sensitivities to God.
Psalm 139:23,24 says: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (This is my prayer!)
Tomorrow's Reading: Joel 3 and Revelation 5
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