Joel I
Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:12,13 ESV)
Internal
Many things are defined and determined internally rather than externally. An “American” is not one, today, based simply on voting records, allegiances uttered at sporting events, or even our address. It is an internal thing first.
Good health is not sure based simply on external symptoms like body temperature, skin tone, or sleep pattern. We can have good vital statistics but internally be in danger of health disaster.
A house does not make a good home because it has sealed windows, excellent paint, or reliable shingles. A house is a good home because of what is inside: love or conflict, peace or fear, unity or anger.
And God’s Kingdom is internally determined, much more than externally observed. God demands and enables us to have humble hearts, loving devotion to Him, and submission to His Words, His Word, and His work.
Internal matters.