January 9, 2026
Daily Devotional:
“A Call to the Heart”
Joel 2:13
"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."
In the ancient world, tearing one’s clothes or rending garments was a loud, visible sign of deep grief or repentance. It was a public display that said, "I am broken." But God, speaking through the prophet Joel, makes astartling request, "Stop tearing your clothes and start tearing your hearts".
God isn't interested in the "show" of being sorry nor that of being apologetic, He is interested in the "substance" of a changed life. It is easy to perform the outward rituals of faith; showing up to service, saying the right words, or acting the part while keeping our hearts safely tucked awayand unchanged. God requested for a beyond the surface heart rendering repentance.
Why should we be brave enough to open our hearts to Him? Joel gives us these beautiful reasons; He is Gracious! He gives us what we don't deserve. He is Compassionate! He feels our pain and understands our weaknesses. He is Slow to Anger! He is patient when we stumble. And He is Abounding in Love! His love isn't a flickering flame, it’s an ocean that never runs dry.
Repentance isn't about groveling before a distant judge, it’s about "returning" to a Father who is already leaning toward you, ready to welcome you home., True change is internal. When we "return" to God, we aren't returning to a checklist of rules; we are returning to a Person who is "gracious andcompassionate." Repentance is the door to intimacy.
Is there an area of your life where you've been "performing" rather than being honest with God? Take a few minutes of silence today. Instead of asking for things, simply sit in the presence of the One who is "abounding in love."