This morning I began reading through the book of Joel. As I made my way through the first two chapters I was struck how God called His people to a “solemn assembly” with tears and crying out to Him, twice. When God doubles down on a message, we do well to tune in.
“Consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly.
Gather the elders
and all the inhabitants of the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
and cry out to the Lord.”
Joel 1:14
“’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.
Who knows whether he will not turn and relent,
and leave a blessing behind him,
a grain offering and a drink offering
for the Lord your God?
Blow the trumpet in Zion;
consecrate a fast;
call a solemn assembly;
gather the people.
Consecrate the congregation;
assemble the elders;
gather the children,
even nursing infants.
Let the bridegroom leave his room,
and the bride her chamber.
Between the vestibule and the altar
let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep
and say, “Spare your people, O Lord,
and make not your heritage a reproach,
a byword among the nations.
Why should they say among the peoples,
‘Where is their God?’”
Joel 2:12-17
As I pondered God’s invitation to cry out to Him, I found myself thinking “Yeah right.” An American church, on its knees, broken, crying out God for mercy? Think of all the famous pastors and Christian celebrities you know. Who weeps over sin?
Think of your favorite doctrine-heavy Bible teacher. Have they led their church in getting on their knees and crying out to God for mercy? Or do we only teach the Bible and not do what is modeled, commanded, and encouraged in Scripture?
Through Joel, God called everyone to participate, from the pastor to young children, to enter into a time of weeping, mourning, crying out for mercy. Solemn assemblies? With no worship band? No teaching? Just meet for a big time prayer meeting with all the stops pulled out?
Remember the massive numbers of Christian men and women in bondage to sexual sin, the daily news stories of leaders being exposed for sexual abuse, adultery, or pornography; 75% of youth exiting the church for decades, those who are fighting intense spiritual battles, including the attacks to fall away, marriages under assault. Should this not break our hearts?
What is God after with His call to a solemn assembly?
Verse 2:12 shows us:
“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“return to me with all your heart…”
He wants all of our heart; our love, our attention.
This time of the year a lot of energy is spent on buying gifts.
Who thinks of what gift they might offer God?
I believe He’s after soft, pliable, tender hearts; people who love to be with Him. Prayer is a joy because it’s such a blessing to rest in His presence.
We can’t fake it. We either enjoy being with God and turn to Him often, or something is off. Our actions and how we spend our time reveal the true center of our affections.
I believe God is after repentance, brokenness, and tears. Read the verses above if you don’t believe me. Sin hardens a heart, turns it to stone. Just walking in the culture we live in is enough to turn anyone’s heart cold. There have been many times when I’ve showed up to spend time with the Lord and He showed me my heart was hard, crusty. It’s not rare for me to invite His touch, encounter Him, and tear up.
God is after your heart. That’s the best gift you can give Him. Every day. We’re talking about seeking Him often in prayer, getting honest and brutal with sin, keeping our relationship with Him our number 1 priority, downsizing entertainment, and living the Rogue Christian way of life. Once a week at church doesn’t cut it. The crazy part about this deal is that when we give Him our heart, He responds by showering us with His light, love, peace and joy.
It would be amazingly easy for every church to call a solemn assembly. Set aside the sermon and the worship band, break everyone up into small groups, share and pray with each other, then bring everyone back together for more prayer. Invite God to break everyone open, convict them of their sin, have His way in their hearts.
No seminary degree required.
Devote one month of services to prayer, and you’ll radically change your church.
Joel 2:18-19 reveals how God responds to His people when they come to Him in tears and repentance:
“Then the Lord became jealous for his land
and had pity on his people.
The Lord answered and said to his people,
‘Behold, I am sending to you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
and I will no more make you
a reproach among the nations.’”
Get a movement of solemn assemblies going, and we’re talking a ground shaking revival.
