While we continue to move through the Lenten season, this passage from Joel calls us to repent. Our theme of repentance, reflection, and renewal aims in part to describe the redemption available through God, and the first aspect is shown in intense language in these verses. The Lord commands us to return to him regardless of our past mistakes. “Yet even now” is a phrase that implies incredible grace through patience with us and our continued shortcomings. Even after all that we have left done and undone, God has not given up on us.
Fasting, weeping, and mourning all involve intense reflection, which is the second part of our theme. This set of somber actions is necessary for growth and change because to truly change your ways is to accept and understand past flaws. To rend your own heart takes conviction and faith in the Lord in order to withstand the pain.
But immediately after this command to tear our hearts, we are reassured of His mercy. We are not forsaken, and the Lord will forgive us. The renewal available to us is to be gained from Him. Returning to the Lord is not a transactional act in the sense of bargaining with Him; we must run towards his open arms and merely be grateful for the gift we are given. The Lord loves us and will always welcome us back.
Logan Abraham 