REVIVAL IN THE LAND

“The workmen did their work, and through them the repairs progressed. They restored God's temple to its specifications and reinforced it.  When they finished, they presented the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, who made articles for the Lord's temple with it-articles for ministry and for making burnt offerings, and ladles and articles of gold and silver. They regularly offered burnt offerings in the Lord's temple throughout Jehoiada's life.” (2 Chronicles 24:13-14 HCSB)

Revival comes to the kingdom of Judah. This is a Scriptural portrayal of the spiritual principle taught in 2 Chronicles 7:13-14, “If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on My people,  and My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”  That is what happened to Judah then, and it is what needs to happen to America today.

Revival is rooted in repentance. Repentance literally means a change of mind. It involves turning—turning away from sin and turning to God.  When a young man by the name of Joash came to reign in Jerusalem, this descendant of David likewise had David’s heart for the Lord, and led the people back to God in repentance.  If we want revival in our life, revival in our church and revival in our land, then there are three dimensions of revival that we need to recognize.

REVIVAL MEANS WE REPAIR THE HOUSE OF GOD (v.1-13)

“Then the king and Jehoiada gave it to those in charge of the labor on the Lord's temple, who were hiring stonecutters and carpenters to renovate the Lord's temple, also blacksmiths and coppersmiths to repair the Lord's temple.  The workmen did their work, and through them the repairs progressed. They restored God's temple to its specifications and reinforced it.”  (v.12-13)

The spark that would ignite this revival was provided by one person—Joash.  The Bible says, “Afterward, Joash took it to heart to renovate the Lord's temple.” (v.4)   Before the people of God returned corporately to a state of spiritual revival, there was a rekindling of passion for God on the individual level.  Revival always begins there. One person decides to get thoroughly right with God and they become the catalyst. In this case it was Joash. Are we willing to be that spark?  Don’t sit around waiting—even praying-- for revival to come to America.  Draw a circle on the ground, kneel in that circle and pray, “Oh God, revive everyone inside this circle!” 

But when Joash was revived, the move of the Spirit didn’t stop there—it spread.  His influence affected the nation.  The people of God repaired the house of God.  Their cold hearts became hot for God.   That leads us to our next consideration.

REVIVAL MEANS WE RENEW OUR HEART FOR GOD (v.14)

“When they finished, they presented the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, who made articles for the Lord's temple with it-articles for ministry and for making burnt offerings, and ladles and articles of gold and silver. They regularly offered burnt offerings in the Lord's temple throughout Jehoiada's life.” (v.14)

Personal commitment grew to public consecration.  So long as Jehoiada the priest was alive to stoke the fire, it continued to burn.  There was regularity about their worship.  It wasn’t haphazard and half-hearted.  They were stirred up to the point of sacrifice.  Their financial support of the ministry was the fruit of their devotion to the Lord.  The heart and the wallet are connected.  Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21 HCSB)  There has been a precipitous decline in the giving of money and attending of worship in America today.  One notices the apathy that marks much of what is called, “worship” among those who still support the church.  These are indicators of a people who need to express repentance and experience revival.  Revival will not come to the country, until there is renewal in the churches! 

REVIVAL MEANS WE REAFFIRM THE HOLINESS OF GOD (v.15-27)

“However, after Jehoiada died, the rulers of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them, and they abandoned the temple of Yahweh, the God of their ancestors and served the Asherah poles and the idols. So there was wrath against Judah and Jerusalem for this guilt of theirs.” (v.17-18)

Satan is always ready to nip revival in the bud.  It is not easy to build a fire, but neither is it a simple matter to tend one.  If it is neglected, then it goes out—and that is what happened when Jehoiada died.  The people did not reaffirm the holiness of God and instead turned away to other gods.  How quickly the fire can go out!

The nation was warned repeatedly, but they stubbornly refused to listen.

“Nevertheless, He sent them prophets to bring them back to the Lord; they admonished them, but the people would not listen.  The Spirit of God took control of Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood above the people and said to them, ‘This is what God says, “Why are you transgressing the Lord's commands and you do not prosper? Because you have abandoned the Lord, He has abandoned you.”’ But they conspired against him and stoned him at the king's command in the courtyard of the Lord's temple.  King Joash didn't remember the kindness that Zechariah's father Jehoiada had extended to him, but killed his son. While he was dying, he said, ‘May the Lord see and demand an account.’” (v.19-22)

Joash would pay the price for his unfaithfulness to God and man.  He would be assassinated after being wounded in battle.

“When the Arameans saw that Joash had many wounds, they left him. His servants conspired against him, and killed him on his bed, because he had shed the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest. So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.” (v.25)

He came to this sorrowful, sinful end because he would not heed the man of God.  Who knows, but what the Lord is speaking to you today through me—perhaps pointedly so?

Are you irritated? 

“All that preacher ever talks about is money.”

“You miss a few Sundays and he makes you feel so guilty.”

“He wants me to be some kind of fanatic.  He needs to get a life.  The preacher doesn’t understand how life is in the real world.  Everybody doesn’t have an easy job like his.”

“Who has time to read all this stuff he writes?”

Perhaps, we need revival.  May it begin with me!