Our God Who Pursues: Guiding Us Back to HimНамуна

Week 1: Repentance and Restoration

God’s Holy Character

Read: Joel 2:1-17

SOAP: Joel 2:12-13

“Yet even now,” the Lord says, “return to me with all your heart— with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Tear your hearts, not just your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love—often relenting from calamitous punishment."

Into the Text

Many people mistakenly believe that the God of the Old Testament is a God of wrath and judgment, whereas in the New Testament, He is solely characterized by love. However, Joel 2 shows us that God is both angry at sin and full of love towards the sinner. It's important to know and understand God's character as it greatly impacts how we live.

Joel writes of the coming Day of the Lord. It would be a day of “dreadful darkness” (Joel 2:2) where a future army would come and destroy the city of Jerusalem. Then, in verse 12, we see one of the most important words–the little word “yet.” Though this time of judgment and devastation was promised to come, God says that it can be avoided.

All God ever wants from His people is their hearts. God tells the people of Israel through Joel to “return to me with all your heart” (Joel 2:12) so that He may “grant a reprieve” (Joel 2:13). Why would God do this? God is “merciful and compassionate, slow to anger and boundless in loyal love” (Joel 2:13; Exodus 34:6). It is because of God’s character that He offers forgiveness through repentance.

God is a holy God, meaning He cannot allow sin to go unpunished. But God is also loving and offers a way for His people to be forgiven and redeemed through Jesus. Both characteristics are true of God and necessary. All of God’s judgments are good and right. He didn’t have to make a way for us to be redeemed, but He did so out of His great love. When we understand the character of God, it makes us want to respond in repentance and praise.

Just like the Day of the Lord was coming for the people of Israel, the Day of the Lord is coming one day for all people. Though it will be a day of judgment, those who have placed their faith in Jesus do not have to fear. Instead, we know that we are secure as children of God.

While we wait for that coming day, we are charged to live faithful lives. We are to regularly repent and live a life of obedience. When our hearts can view God truly for who He is, it changes the way we live.

Prayer

God, thank you that you are a just, compassionate, and merciful God. Thank you that your character never changes. May I rightfully see your character and live in response with praise. Amen.