Honey From The Rock

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Honey From The Rock
Psalm 81:16

"Sweet Stuff From God's Word"

A daily Bible study with Victor Knowles
Copyright 2007

Rend Your Heart, Not Your Robe

This entry was posted on 05-15-2007 and is filed under Devotional.

"So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, Fore He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm" (Joel 2:13 NKJV).

I remember coming across this verse in my class on Old Testament Prophets when I was in Bible College. I may have even developed a sermon from this text: "Rend Your Hearts, Not Your Garments." The Jewish people would often tear their clothing as a sign of grief or contrition. I guess there is nothing wrong with ripping your best robe - as long as the act is sincere. I've never clawed my clothes or shredded my suit. But I have rent my heart from time to time in sincere repentance. I think that is what God is asking for here.

Is this where our word "heart-rending" comes from? "Heart-rending" means "much anguish or grief." Our sins should cause us grief - they have caused God (and others) plenty of grief! So, when we rend our hearts (inward action) and not our robes (outward show), and return to God (positive action), He will be gracious and merciful to us, and even "relent from sending calamity" our way (NIV).

Prayer: Kind and gracious Father, thank You for this wonderful promise in Your holy Word! May we "turn to You with all our heart" and "rend our heart, and not our garments." We sincerely confess our grievous sins to You this day. Through Christ we pray!