Joel 2:13
“And tear your heart and not merely your garments. Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in mercy.”
When someone would tear their garments it was because they were shocked, repentant or horrified. Job 1:20 is an example. One of Job’s employees came to him and said, ‘”and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped.’ That was appropriate and heartfelt.
The Lord is referring to an insincere rending of one’s garments. Why would someone do that? To put on a show about how spiritual they are. The pharisees of Jesus’ day did much for show. Here is what Jesus said of them in Luke 20:46,47, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love personal greetings in the marketplaces, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive all the more condemnation.”
We are to do quite the opposite. ‘Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me”‘, (Matthew 16:24). We aren’t to draw attention to ourselves. A part of us likes that. But it’s hollow. We’ve done it enough to know that.
Our actions are to match our hearts. That’s being a person of integrity. The person of the heart is the same on the outside. It’s also the same as our words.
We are to live for an audience of One, God. Such a cool life. He’s the One who matters. He sees us and loves us. We feel Him in our hearts. Romans 8:14-16 says, ‘For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God’. Our spirits cry out to Him and the Spirit connects with us. It’s amazing. That’s all we need. His approval.
Thank You, Lord, that Your are for us. We don’t need to put on a show for others. Help us to make our actions consistent with our hearts.