Blow the trumpet in Zion, declare a holy fast, call a sacred assembly. 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. 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?’ ”

Here is the command of God’s prophet to the people of Israel, if they want to fully repent of their sins and turn to God. I notice that there is no event or circumstance that is exempt from this repentance. Even a wedding ceremony is postponed. To turn God’s judgment away by a grace appeal, it must be a full surrender and a complete and unlimited appeal.

What does my repentance look like? Is my self-discipline more of a slap on the hand, and I hope I don’t sin again? Or do I justify my sin by any number of excuses, until my sin overtakes the number one position in my life? Or will I take the full surrender approach Joel recommends.

Repentance to a holy God requires a maximum surrender.

Lord, thank you for this model from Joel demonstrating how to completely clear my personal sin slate, when putting God back on the throne. My personal plan is to keep short accounts with you and dwell with you daily, so things don’t go this far. I pray you will give me boldness to call out sin around me in your time and ways. Bring our country to repent of the sin that is rampant.