Return to the Lord

God appeals to His people to return to the Lord and He even tells us how to do so. In (Joel 2:12), the Bible says, “Yet even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.  

The urgency and call from God were for His people to return to Him in total surrender, complete humility, and a new attitude. God told them it was not good enough to just rip their garments when something was wrong. God wants our hearts broken before Him. He wants us to return to Him praying, fasting, weeping, and mourning. 

Just like what we are all doing now with this Daniel Fast, we are not waiting for our respective situations to go bad before we begin to fast and pray. So, I commend and applaud each of you, not only for waking up at 5 something in the morning to join these Devotional calls, but also for deliberately bringing your bodies, and physical appetites into submission to your spirit and to God’s will. You are intentionally removing the focus from your natural physical desires and instead deepening your hunger for God.  

And as you are going through this Daniel Fast, might I remind you of those great words from Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers – when you start getting those cravings for Mikes American, Wingstop and Nothing Bundt Cakes, remember that “Sometimes You are Going to Have to Encourage Yourself.” 

The call from God in the book of Joel was for His people to return to Him now, and they would see God greet them with compassion and release them and their nation from the chastisement of God. God called them to fast, worship, and come together before Him. The call was so urgent that even newlyweds were to leave their bridal chambers before they consummated their marriage so they could join everyone in repentance of sin and return to God. 

God is calling each of us to return to Him today. God is calling each local church, which includes Antioch, to return to Him today. God is calling every minister, pastor, deacon, and every spiritual leader to return to Him today. No one is exempt from this call, and anyone can make their way to return to God. So, it is time for us to cease being prideful and selfish, making up our own rules, and giving excuses before God.  

The way of your return to God is clear: we must return to God with all our heart. We must return to God through prayer and fasting, just like what we are doing now through this Daniel Fast. The Bible tells us that in addition to praying and fasting, that we must weep and mourn before Him concerning our spiritual condition. Pastors, ministers, spiritual leaders, and every follower of Jesus Christ, now is the time to lead the way personally, and with your church and ministry to return to God.  

In Joel Chapter 2, if you read on a little further in verses 18-27, the Bible tell us that the people returned to God, and when they did, God answered their prayer. When God witnessed this supernatural miracle and change in their attitude and lifestyle, God showered his mercy on them. Once again, God provided for them, protected them, and granted them joy. Our God is always faithful to do what He says He will do. God will do the same for you and for our church, as we continue our Daniel Fast.  

Take notice that in Joel 2:16, the prophet Joel calls for the people of Judah to gather for a sacred fast, calling together everyone to include the ministers, every spiritual leader, and even nursing infants and newlyweds to come together and repent and seek God's mercy. We here at Antioch FFX might not be experiencing devastating locust plagues and famine but given all that is going on in today’s society, I firmly believe that we can successfully come together over these 21 days and get through this Daniel Fast.