Joel 2:12 “’Yet even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.’”

“I’m sorry.” These two small words can be light as a feather or heavy as lead depending on where your heart stands. Many of us throw these words out to simply put an end to an unpleasant situation. The strength behind them, were it a breeze, couldn’t stir a candle flame. When the Lord says we are to return with all our hearts (hearts that are broken) he is talking about repentance. When the prodigal son “came to his senses” that was repentance. He didn’t just grow tired of his circumstances but came face to face with the wrong he had done and it broke him. That is the kind of sorrow God wants in us when we say “I’m sorry” after letting him down. God is not interested in our outward show (the tearing of garments) or in our lip service or tears (for even the Pharisees could do this and look pious without truly being repentant). Remember, God knows if “I’m sorry” is heartfelt or not. He is always ready, arms open wide, to receive a truly repentant child. But those who simply speak the words out of a sense of obligation or for appearances, you’re only fooling yourself.

Prayer: Lord God, forgive me those times when I spoke those words “I’m sorry” out of a truly repentant heart. I don’t always realize just how much you hate sin and how it puts a barrier between us. Jesus had to die so that I could again reach you. Teach me to never treat anything that defiles his sacrifice and separates us lightly. Let my heart be broken in true repentance, Lord. Remind me always that an unrepentant heart leads to unforgiven sin. Jesus, for all you have done I pray this in your holy name - Amen.” Attachment