"Even now", declares the LORD, "return to Me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning."

Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God,

for He is gracious and compassionate...

Joel 2:12-13, NIV 

There is a common theme that runs throughout the books of the prophets of God. The theme is there though the people had sinned and deserved death. The theme is there though the people had heard the warnings of God through His prophets, but still refused to turn from their wickedness. The theme was and is the reason for the following fact: When people return to God on His terms with all of their hearts, God will let them. 

Why would He let us return to Him even when we have sinned and deserve death? Why would He continue to extend chance after chance to return even after people were so stubborn to repent? It's because of this great theme of the prophets:

God is gracious and compassionate!

And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.

Joel 2:32, NIV 

Today is the 26th day of the 30 day challenge to read through the books of the prophets of God, with the books of Joel and Amos being the reading for today. May God richly bless your life as you return to Him with all of your heart!