“Return to Me with all your heart, And with fasting, weeping and mourning.” – Joel 2:12
The prophet Joel compares the coming day of the Lord with the succession of locust invasions, which sequentially devour every crop and all vegetation. The entire nation of Israel was commanded to fast and to cry out to the Lord their God in sincere repentance of heart. The continued grace and mercy of God can be seen in His divine appeal to the people of Judah, to repent of their sins and return to the Lord. It is never late for sinners or backsliders to turn away from their sins and return to the Lord with all their heart and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation.
Fasting with weeping and mourning is often associated with true repentance of heart.