Lent Devotion | Day 2

 Joel 2:13 (NIV)
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.

As we repent, or turn to God, we are to do so through not only our outward appearance, but through our heart. We are reminded of God’s character as we turn our heart toward him. God is not quick to judge or give up on us. God is not angry or frustrated when we turn to him. Instead, we are reminded that God “is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love.” This description of God’s character is found throughout scripture (Ex. 34:6, Psalm 86:5, and Jonah 4:2). It is a beautiful reminder to us that God is ready to receive us when we turn to him. He is patiently waiting for us to return to him and when we do so, he is merciful and gracious.

In what ways do you need to ‘turn your heart’ toward God today and let his mercy and grace into your life?

For more information on God’s character, check out this video from the Bible Project.