RG AUDIO 051915Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from The Global Church of the Nazarene of Lenexa, Kansas, United States for Tuesday, 19 May 2015 - "Return To The Lord" Scripture: Joel 2:2 “Yet even now,” says Adonai,
“turn to me with all your heart,
with fasting, weeping and lamenting.”
13 Tear your heart, not your garments;
and turn to Adonai your God.
For he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to anger, rich in grace,
and willing to change his mind about disaster.
14 Who knows? He may turn, change his mind
and leave a blessing behind him,
[enough for] grain offerings and drink offerings
to present to Adonai your God.
15 “Blow the shofar in Tziyon!
Proclaim a holy fast,
call for a solemn assembly.”
16 Gather the people; consecrate the congregation;
assemble the leaders; gather the children,
even infants sucking at the breast;
let the bridegroom leave his room
and the bride the bridal chamber.
17 Let the cohanim, who serve Adonai,
stand weeping between the vestibule and the altar.
Let them say, “Spare your people, Adonai!
Don’t expose your heritage to mockery,
or make them a byward among the Goyim.
Why should the peoples say, ‘Where is their God?’”
18 Then Adonai will become jealous for his land
and have pity on his people.
19 Here is how Adonai will answer his people:
“I will send you grain, wine and olive oil,
enough to satisfy you;
and no longer will I make you
a mockery among the Goyim.
20 No, I will take the northerner away,
far away from you,
and drive him to a land
that is waste and barren;
with his vanguard toward the eastern sea
and his rearguard toward the western sea,
his stench and his rottenness will rise,
because he has done great things.”
"Return To The Lord" by Author: Juanita Weir NoblesIn the days when the prophet Joel wrote his prophecy, deep remorse was often shown by tearing one’s clothes. However, God wanted a truly heartfelt repentance, not an outward show. God called Joel to preach to the people, impressing upon them the depth of their sin and the need of turning back to God.
Foreseeing an invasion by superior forces, Joel encouraged the people to repent in order to escape God’s punishment. Joel called for a twofold repentance: First, he asked for heartfelt personal repentance that reflected a change of both intellect and emotions. Second, he issued a call for national repentance in a solemn assembly, one that included the entire population.
Could we see the threats that face us today, as opportunities from a gracious God to seek Him in heartfelt confession and repentance? History tells us of gracious times of national awakening. Could we believe God for a global awakening? Pray that it will soon come, that God’s judgment will be averted and showers of blessing would come.
Hymn for Today: "Come Let Us Return To The Lord" by Matt Redman
Chorus:
Come, come let us return to the Lord
Come, come let us return to the Lord
In brokenness of heart
We consecrate our lives, singing
Come, come let us return to the Lord
Chorus:
Oh
Come, come let us return to the Lord
Come, come let us return to the Lord
In brokenness of heart
We consecrate our lives, singing
Come, come let us return to the Lord
1. With the rending of a heart
With the bowing of a knee
Lord, we are returning
With a prayer and with a fast
With a song in minor key
Lord, we are repenting
Even now, even now
With all of our hearts
For You may turn
And You may leave a blessing behind
Chorus:
Oh
Come, come let us return to the Lord
Come, come let us return to the Lord
In brokenness of heart
We consecrate our lives, singing
Come, come let us return to the Lord
2. With the rending of a heart
With the bowing of a knee
Lord, we are returning
With a prayer and with a fast
With a song in minor key
Lord, we are repenting
Even now, even now
With all of our hearts
For You may turn
And You may leave a blessing behind
Chorus:
Oh
Come, come let us return to the Lord
People, come, come let us return to the Lord
In brokenness of heart
We consecrate our lives, singing
Come, come let us return to the Lord
Chorus:
Come, oh
Come, come let us return to the Lord
We will come
Come let us return to the Lord
In brokenness of heart
We consecrate our lives, singing
Come, come let us return to the Lord
3. In Your mercy You will come
In Your mercy You will come
Yes, come, come Lord
As surely as the rising sun
As surely as the rising sun
Shining in all its brightness
You will come to us
4. In Your mercy You will come
In Your mercy You will come
As surely as the rising sun
As surely as the rising sun
So we call ourselves to come
Chorus:
Come, come let us return to the Lord
Come let us return to the Lord
In brokenness of heart
We consecrate our lives, singing
Come, come let us return to the Lord
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