Gracious Opportunity

Gracious Opportunity

Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate.

Joel 2:13

IN WORD God has made it clear from the beginning what He desires from us. He wants humble hearts that love Him, that take pleasure in submitting to Him, and that welcome His will for their lives. Seems like that ought to be simple enough, but we have a way of complicating things—especially when we want to justify a certain level of independence from our Creator. Then we develop shades of truth and shadows of sin, relating to God in complex terms He never desired or authorized. We are masters of subtle rebellion.

But God’s desire hasn’t changed. He loves simplicity of devotion. He enjoys those who enjoy Him without compromising Him. He created us for the kind of intimate relationship with Him where we can rejoice together, weep together, work together, and love implicitly. And since we don’t start out that way in life, there’s no way to develop that kind of relationship without moving from where we are.

The good news is that God moved first. He did everything necessary for us to boldly approach His throne of grace and to enjoy His presence. Now it’s our turn. We repent—or “return,” as Joel says—by changing our minds about who He is and letting Him change our hearts to truly experience Him. The result of that turn is a God who is “abounding in love” and wild about showing you His mercies.

IN DEED If you want to experience the God who is on your side, who will defend you, lavish His love on you, provide for you, and bathe you in His favor, try the simple approach He prescribes. Turn toward Him, live in deep humility, believe His promises, and thank Him constantly for His mercies. You will begin to see—and enjoy—His presence more and more. A repentant, humble heart is like a God-magnet. He enthusiastically attaches to those who love Him. His tenderness surrounds them and His favor pours out on them. He never lets them down.

Repentance is the golden key that opens the palace of eternity.

—JOHN MILTON