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JOEL 2: 12-14

"TURN TO GOD"

Intro: Text begins with therefore, but therefore is never a beginning.
       Joel has been prophesying of the great day of the Lord when the
       mighty Northern Army invades the land.

I. "TURN TO ME."
        A. When should a person turn to God.
                1. If you are wise, you will turn right now.
                2. Anytime is a good time.
                        a. We have so much to gain.
                        b. I have never yet met the man who was sorry he
                           turned to God.
                3. When there is no place else to turn.
                        a. Unfortunately many wait till then.
                        b. Better then than not at all.
                        c. Howard Goff.
        B. How are we to turn to God?
                1. With all your heart.
                        a. Some only seek a solution to their problem,
                           they do not truly seek God.
                        b. Once God has rescued them, they say it would
                           have happened anyhow, and they forget God.
                                1. Little boy sliding down barn roof.
                        c. God said to Jeremiah, "You will find Me when
                           you search with all your heart."
                        d. Many come to God with a half-hearted approach.
                                "If He wants to help, that's cool."
                2. "With fasting, weeping and mourning."
                        a. When we get desperate enough, we'll do
                           anything.
                        b. Mourning indicates sorrow and "Godly sorrow
                           will lead to repentance," a real change in your
                           life.
                3. Rend your hearts and not your garments.
                        a. To show great grief or emotion, they used to
                           tear their clothes.
                                1. It was an outward display of grief.
                        b. God looks on the heart, He would rather see a
                           heart that is torn.
        C. Why should we turn to God?
                1. For He is gracious and merciful.
                        a. It matters not how unworthy we are.
                        b. We humans react differently from God.
                                1. He's getting what he's got coming.
                                2. He deserves better than that.
                                3. But God is gracious and gives to all
                                   that call upon Him alike.
                        c. Again remember the difference between grace and
                           mercy. They both spring from love.
                                1. Mercy is not getting what you deserve.
                                2. Grace is getting what you don't
                                   deserve.
                2. "He is of great kindness."
                        a. Words are pictures in the mind. They are
                           sometimes difficult to define.
                        b. We say, "He is such a kind man,"  I get a
                           picture in my mind - gentle, sweet, loving.
                        c. The kindest man who ever lived would appear
                           cruel standing next to God.
                3. "It repents Him of the evil," or He doesn't want to use
                   harsh means to draw us to Himself.
                        a. It is of utmost importance that I come to God.
                                A. matter of life and death.
                        b. God, because He is gracious and kind, want me
                           to come a seek by all means to draw me.
                                1. He woos me with love, tells me the joys
                                   and beauty He has for me.
                                2. He will use tragedy and heartbreak. He
                                   does not like to. It repents Him.
                4. Who knows what God in His grace and kindness will do
                   for you.
                        a. Others have ventured out on a "who knows?"
                                1. King of Assyria at time of Jonah.
                                2. Four leprous men outside Samaria.