ash wednesday
Joel 2:1–2. 12-16 (NIV) — 1 Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming. It is close at hand— 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness. Like dawn spreading across the mountains a large and mighty army comes, such as never was in ancient times nor ever will be in ages to come. 12 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 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. 14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing— grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. 15 Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. 16 Gather the people, consecrate the assembly; bring together the elders, gather the children, those nursing at the breast. Let the bridegroom leave his room and the bride her chamber.
We take a break from our study in 1 Corinthians to consider Ash Wednesday and what it means to us. Ash Wednesday is not in the bible, but the concept of calling an assembly for mourning and recommitment is. We will do so by looking at this passage from Joel.
The day of the Lord is coming. In this passage the day of the Lord is frightening. Why is that? Why should we or anyone be afraid of God’s coming?
“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart.” If we are called to return, what does that imply we have done? Why do we leave? Is it possible to leave unintentionally or without thinking? What does it mean to do so with all your heart? Can you recall a time when you or someone you knew had left the Lord and then returned with all their heart?
“Return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” How often do you fast, weep or mourn before God? Why would we do so? Isn’t “I’m sorry, please forgive me” enough?
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. What character traits does Joel describe God as having? Do any of them surprise you? Which of them are most meaningful to you?
Right now, wherever you are reading this, what do you need to say to God? What might you need to repent of and return from? Talk to him about that now.