August 1- The Results Of Revival

August 1, 2011

Scripture Readings:
2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21; Romans 15:1-22;
Psalm 25:1-15; Proverbs 20:13-15

Study the history of revival.  God has always sent revival in the darkest days.  
Oh, for a mighty, sweeping revival today!  
~Adrian Rogers

2 Chronicles 30:1-31:21

Let me take a moment to congratulate you for reading with me this far in the Bible.  For the last seven months we have immersed ourselves in God's Word.  I hope that your experience has been one of personal revival.  As we seek God and read His story, it is hard to not be convicted and changed by Truth.  Today, Hezekiah is continuing to lead the Southern Kingdom in a spiritual revival.  Let's review what this revival looked like:

• The doors of the Temple were reopened.
• The Levites began to be purified, again.  Religious leaders were fulfilling their proper roles and being effective.
• Decision were made based on taking instruction from the Lord.
• Worship of God became a regular practice.
• People decided to dedicate themselves to God.
• People repented of their sins.

As you have read the Bible this year, have the doors of your heart been opened?  Has God purified you through His Word? Are you beginning to take instruction from God and adopt the principles layed out in the Bible? Do you find yourself able to worship God more deeply?  Have you dedicated yourself to God in a new and more profound way?  Have you repented of sinful attitudes and behaviors?  If you answered "yes" to these questions, you have experienced a personal revival as a result of studying God's Word! 

Revival always has an impact, not only in a person's life, but also in the life of the community. Now, let's look at the results of Hezekiah's revival. 

• Belief in a future Messiah, who will die to save people from their sins is acknowledged through the reinstatement of the Passover celebration.  Remember that Passover is a picture of Christ on the cross.  Vs. 2-4
• A witness and invitation to worship is sent out to the Northern ten tribes of Israel to come celebrate the Passover and participate in the revival. Vs. 6-9
• Peace and Harmony are characteristics of God's Spirit indwelling people and spiritual revival.  Please note that Hezekiah is promoting peace and harmony between the Southern and Northern Kingdoms, who have been at war with each other. Vs. 4
• While most people laugh at Hezekiah's invitation to worship the Passover, a remnant of true followers of God in the Northern Kingdom respond to Hezekiah's call.  The Southern Kingdom responds with strong desire to unite in obeying their king.  Response to God's call requires humility. Vs. 10-12  Foreigners (Gentiles) hear about this celebration and come to participate. Vs. 25
• The Passover is celebrated by a huge crowd. Vs. 13-17
• Hezekiah prays for the Lord's grace and mercy, with regards to some of the details of the Passover regulations, including the time of the celebration because of the vast number of people who need purification.  God's mercy prevails.  Mercy is a result of revival.  God responds to prayer. Vs. 18-20
• Wisdom is evident in the leaders, during the revival.  Vs. 18
• Joyous celebration and worship is embraced.  Vs. 22-26
• God hears their worship from heaven. Vs. 27
• Pagan idols are torn down. Chapter 3:1
• Sacrificial giving, starting with Hezekiah, spreads throughout the community. Vs. 2-7
• Thankfulness and humility result from God's abundant blessings. Vs. 8-10
• Abundance results from obedience, as storehouses are created for all of the overflow. Vs. 11-19
• The whole community is blessed by the revival, spiritually and materially. Vs. 20
• Hezekiah seeks God wholeheartedly, and as a result, he is very successful. Vs. 21

We must pray for revival in our day and age.  Like Hezekiah, we must pray that God will draw people back to the truth through His Word.  This will result in people believing in the Passover Lamb that takes away the sin of the world.  Revival will cause witness and worship in harmony.  Many will be invited, but the remnant will come. Personal idols will be torn down in our lives. Wisdom will prevail, and joyous celebration will result.  Sacrificial giving will create abundance that can help those in need.  God will hear from heaven and be pleased. Let's pray for revival in the Church on earth. 

What can you do to promote revival like Hezekiah did?

Romans 15:1-22

Today, the Apostle Paul continues to prove that the Holy Spirit promotes harmony in the Church on earth.  As we are sanctified in Christ, we accept other Christians who may have different convictions than we do.  We also acknowledge that both the Jew and the Gentile are called to worship God in harmony.

Paul clarifies in Romans 15:8-9, that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to His promises.  He came to the Gentiles to give glory to God by showing mercy. 

This is proven in Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 11:10.  It is important that Paul prove to the Jewish believers in Christ that the Old Testament writings have always indicated that Gentiles would be grafted into the family of God.

Paul explains in Verse 14 that once you have been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, you are able to teach others the truth about God.  Paul confirms that he is a special messenger sent by God to teach.  He is enthusiastic about giving out the Good News and praying for those who sit under his teaching.  Paul confirms that he has been called to bring the Gentiles to God through his messages, life example, and miracles.  He is quick to explain that this has been done in the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul also clarifies that his goal has been to take the gospel message to areas that don't already have a church in place. He says that this approach fulfills Isaiah 52:15.

Paul has been like Hezekiah in that he has led a revival in his lifetime.  He has taken the Good News about the Passover Lamb to both the Jews and the Gentiles.  As a result of revival, God is worshiped and lives are changed.

Are you willing to promote revival in your community?  Think of small ways you could begin to do this.

Psalm 25:1-15

I am going to focus on the verbs in this psalm to show how to pray for revival.  Here is the list of requests:
show me, lead me, remember, forgive.

Here is the confirmation of what God does:  shows, leads, forgives, shares the secrets of his covenants, and rescues from enemies.

Proverbs 20:13-15

Wise speech is rarer than rubies and gold.  We should strive to have the riches of wise speech in our lives.

What did you notice today?  Please share.

Blessings,

Jubilee Gal
Kathy Fullerton