Today's Verse: Joel 2:13

Monday, February 13, 1956

[The Lord declares,] "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."
— Joel 2:13
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

One of the most amazing things about our God, the Lord God, is that he is so gracious and compassionate. This is true even when we've "blown it big time." He longs to forgive and cleanse when we sin, not condemn and punish us. His grace rushes to greet our genuine heartbreak and heart change with forgiveness, cleansing, and redemption. But God is not about playing religious games or practicing empty religious rituals that are not heartfelt. Our repentance must come from a heart genuinely committed to turn back to the Lord and live for him!

My Prayer...

Dear Father, when I sin, please help me see my sin as you see it. I want my heart to break over my sin when I've rebelled against you. I don't want to ever become callused or cold to your graciousness. I always want to appreciate the high cost you paid to redeem, forgive, and cleanse me with your grace in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

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Rend your hearts.
Illustration of Joel 2:13
Inspirational illustration of Joel 2:13 -- 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.
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Illustration

Illustration of Joel 2:13 — [The Lord declares,] "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."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, February 13, 1956

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A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'For Those Who Search' (Ps. 70:4-5)
"May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!" But as for me,...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Heading to Mary's House' (Acts 12:11-12)
"Peter finally came to his senses [after the angel released him from prison]. "It's really true!" he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me....."
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The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: 2 Timothy 4:18
"Yonder city of the great King is a place of active service. Ransomed spirits serve him day and night in his temple. They never cease to fulfil the..."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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