Discover His heart: He gives His Spirit to the repentant heart
I decided a long time ago that Italian men are farmers at heart. My grandfather had an exceptional garden and grew much of what the family ate. He was the only person I know that could grow a peach tree in the cold Minnesota climate. My dad had a great garden with wonderful tomatoes, beans and peppers. And my husband, Tom, can grow just about anything. Hence, Italian men are farmers at heart.
Tom loves to take plants that look like they are ready to be discarded and nurse them back to health, and he’s terrific at it. We one time had a beautiful rosebush, the Dolly Parton, and it was the most fragrant rose I’ve ever smelled. We came home from a trip and found that it had been attacked by some blight and was on its last…stem. Tom saw that one little stem seemed to have some life left in it. Well, he took the frail, devoured plant, cut it down to almost nothing and nourished it from the inside out. In no time at all, the fragrant rosebush was in full bloom, ready for me to enjoy! What a guy! Sometimes it takes some heavy duty pruning and nourishment to bring restoration, and the prophet Joel knew all about that.
Joel prophesied about a blight of locusts that was coming to devour – the judgment of God that was coming to Israel if they did not repent of their sins. Some believe this prophecy told of a literal plague of locust as well as the invading Assyrian and Babylonian armies. Regardless, a dreadful day was coming for Israel and was aptly described in Joel 1 and 2, “Despair, all you farmers! Wail, all you vine growers! Weep, because the wheat and barley—all the crops of the field—are ruined…Come, spend the night in burlap, you ministers of my God. For there is no grain or wine to offer at the Temple of your God. Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting.” (1:11,13-14) Pruning was coming to Israel.
Whether our hearts are distraught over our country, a family crisis, church turmoil or problems in our own lives, we are challenged by the prophet Joel to start with repentance while there is still a little life left in the stem. “That is why the Lord says, ‘Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.’” (2:12-13) Go to him with a broken spirit and a repentant heart, repenting of any failure or sin. (Psalm 51:17)
Israel could have avoided a lot of pain and devastation had they listened to Joel and to the many other prophets that God sent along their way. But just as my patient gardener brought life back to a beautiful rosebush, our loving God will take the remnant of any situation, prune it and bring life back to it when it is finally yielded to Him. Oh, how much better, though, to avoid this painful process through repentance.
“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.” (2:28-29) As with my fragrant rosebush, Israel’s sweet fragrance of communion with the Spirit of God one day would be restored. Israel experienced it on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, when His Spirit became available to all people. And we today are all people, too. Approach Him with a contrite heart and enjoy the beautiful fragrance of His Spirit—prophetic dreams and visions included!
Moving Forward: I will turn to Him today in any crisis, repent when needed and enjoy the beautiful bouquet of His Spirit.
Tomorrow @ John 13-15
Phyllis Benigas 