Today’s Scripture Reading

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.

¹⁷ Let the priests, who minister before the Lord,

weep between the portico and the altar.

Let them say, “Spare your people, Lord.

Do not make your inheritance an object of scorn,

a byword among the nations.

Why should they say among the peoples,

‘Where is their God?’”

JOEL.2.12-17

Today’s Devotional Reading

Compassionate Love

Perhaps we best understand the compassionate love of God when his love is all we have. The prophet Joel reminds the nation of Judah to return to God, to forsake their own way of doing things, and chase after God instead. He encourages the people to turn from the world’s ways and toward God.

He promises when folks return to God, God will display his kindhearted character. He won’t push people away who are genuinely sorry for the way they used to live their lives. He won’t shun or poke fun. He won’t drive them to the ground.

No, God will welcome his people back into his good graces. He abounds (overflows!) with love. He blesses those who return.

This is the nature of the God you serve—open armed, welcoming, slow to get angry, patient. Even right now he gives you the opportunity to return, to cherish him above all other pursuits. He does not push you away; he welcomes you into his arms.

Lord, you are all I want. All I need. All I hope for. I don’t know what I’d do without your compassionate love in my life every day. Thank you for loving me, even when I fail. Amen.

Write a love note to God, thanking him for welcoming you into his arms. When did you first realize God loved you? When have you most experienced his compassion.