In the Book of Joel, the prophet paints a vivid picture of the coming judgment of God, the Day of the Lord. The imagery is bold and terrifying: hordes of locusts swarming over the land and decimating everything. Joel’s prophecy has teeth even today as wars rage, natural disasters threaten and destroy, and our culture seems to be unraveling. But right in the middle of this frightening portent, we find a tender invitation from the Lord: “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 2:13). God’s invitation and promise finds its fullness in Jesus Christ, who personifies and accomplishes all that God declares. During this season of Lent, we will consider the theme “Return to the Lord” and examine how the call to return played out in practical ways for the people who walked alongside Christ as He demonstrated and carried out God’s grace and mercy on our behalf, taking God’s wrath upon Himself, setting the stage for God to “turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him” (Joel 2:14).

Return to Prayer

Lent 1

Our prayer life ebbs and flows, but through it all, the Spirit intercedes for us. When God calls us to pray, he provides the means to do so and even fulfills what we ourselves are unable to do.

Return from False Witness

Lent 3

What does God actually mean in the Eighth Commandment, and what should we do when our failure here leads us away from God? God calls us to turn from sin and look to Him.

Return to the Kingdom of God

Lent 5

Pilate asks “What is truth?” but the real question is “Who is truth?” God calls us to return to his rule and reign so that he can pour out blessings on us.