Revival series Archives

Revival: In Writing

Revival is a distinct renewal of our spiritual life. A re-igniting of our faith and our commitment to God and obedience to His Word. During our study, we’ve seen God move in amazing ways through Scripture. Today we’ll finish up with the revival under Nehemiah. In the fall of 445 BC, the people gathered in Jerusalem. Ezra the priest read the Law. They celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). Then the people confessed their sins. Nehemiah 9 is the record of that confession. But then the people recommitted themselves to God and to follow His word. That’s the key mark of all the revivals we’ve studied. However, this time, the people put their promise in writing.

Because of all this we make a firm covenant in writing; on the sealed document are the names of our princes, our Levites, and our priests.
Nehemiah 9:38

The Hebrew word for “make” is karath, which means to cut or to cut off. It hearkens back to the covenant God made with Abraham in Genesis 15. God instructed Abraham to sacrifice several animals and cut them in half. He was then to arrange the animals so there was a path between each of the halves. When men made this kind of covenant, the idea was that if either party broke the terms, they should end up like animal parts they walked between. In Genesis 15, God alone passed between the pieces.

The people in Nehemiah’s day were recalling the time when God chose them as a people for Himself, for His name’s sake. Any righteousness they had was imputed by God and not the result of their own efforts. While the land was a tremendous promise, it was a shadow of the inheritance to come.

Nehemiah 10:28-29 affirms that all the people entered into this covenant taking on both an oath to perform the things they promised and a curse if they failed. They meant business. The end of the chapter, Nehemiah 10:29-39 lists some specific provisions the people committed to.

So how do we apply this in the 21st century?

I don’t necessarily recommend blood oaths with curses. However, this season leading up to Easter is the perfect time to take spiritual inventory. Are we hungry for God and His Word? Are we obedient? Are we living lives distinct from the world? Are we striving for Christlikeness? Has the Holy Spirit pointed out areas where things need to change? Are we going to make those changes or ignore that prompting?

If we are serious about change, about renewal of our faith and our commitment to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us, then we can follow the example of the Jews in Nehemiah. We can write out a formal declaration of both confession and commitment. We can even go so far as having it witnessed and making it public.

Because we are human, revival is a necessity. We are easily distracted. We are self-absorbed. We sin. We face battles. It’s important to repent, throw out our idols, worship with all our might, separate ourselves from ungodly influences, and bring our sacrifices and offerings to God. Sometimes, it even helps to get it in writing.

Revival Requires Separation

By Paula Wiseman

Revival is a distinct renewal of our spiritual life. It is marked by a re-igniting of our faith and our commitment to God and obedience to His Word. We’ve seen God move in amazing ways to revive His people through our study of Scripture. Last week, we learned revival begins when we recognize and repent of our sins. That was the key in the revival led by King Josiah. God responded to the king’s tender heart and delayed the impending judgment for the king’s lifetime. But judgment did fall. Judah went into Babylonian captivity for seventy long years. The book of Ezra recounts the return of the exiles. They overcome great obstacles and challenges but with the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, there is great joy, and the first Passover is celebrated. Ezra 6:10 gives us the key to the great revival and celebration – separation.

God’s people have always been a separate people.

Abraham had to come out from his family and homeland. He then had to separate from Lot. God called Israel out of Egypt. The Law is full of instructions about remaining a distinct people, easily identified as the people of the Lord. In the New Testament, Paul reiterates this to the church in Corinth, a church that particularly struggled with separation from the world.

The command to be separate isn’t just applicable during Bible times. Believers today need to follow the same instruction. The world needs to see that we are different, that the Gospel transforms us. If it doesn’t change us, if we aren’t different, then why should anyone follow Jesus?

Back in the land, separation came before the Passover.

The Israelites who had returned from exile ate ⌊the Passover⌋, together with all who had separated themselves from the uncleanness of the Gentiles of the land in order to worship Yahweh, the God of Israel. They observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful, having changed the Assyrian king’s attitude toward them, so that he supported them in the work on the house of the God of Israel.
Ezra 6:21-22

Not everyone went into Babylonian captivity. The poorest (and those who posed no threat) were left to tend the land. Assyria in the north and Babylon in the south then brought a mix of refugees from other conquered lands. This meant the returning Jews were greeting with a group of people who didn’t share their heritage or their worship of Yahweh. But God honored the Israelites’ efforts with an amazing time of worship.

In the same way, God will honor our efforts to remove any ungodly influences from our lives. We have to see the danger first.

Vigilance is needed to maintain separation.

Not long after that Passover, Ezra the priest arrives in the land, and he discovers a critical issue. When Israel first entered the land under Joshua’s leadership, God very plainly warned them NOT to marry foreign women. Israel didn’t listen. This led to adopting foreign gods, which broke the first and second commandments and resulted in God’s judgment.

You would think after suffering through the exile, the LAST thing Israel would do after getting back into the land would be to intermarry with the local pagans. However, that was the very thing Israel did. After a time of intense prayer and intercession, Ezra tells the people in no uncertain terms:

“Therefore, make a confession to Yahweh the God of your fathers and do His will. Separate yourselves from the surrounding peoples and ⌊your⌋ foreign wives.”
Ezra 10:11

Like Israel, we can find ourselves in the same patterns that have gotten us in trouble in our past, even after times of great revival. Ezra’s advice holds for us, too. Confess that allurement that draws us to disobedience. Actively do God’s will, that is obey His commands. Finally, do whatever it takes to put those enticements out of your life. Change habits. Get rid of possessions. Even end relationships.

Unfortunately, this is not the last time Israel has to deal with this issue. We face it as well. In 2 Corinthians 6:14, the Apostle Paul warns believers about being unequally yoked, that is married to, unbelievers. This is one of the sins the people confess in a revival led by Governor Nehemiah. We’ll look closer at that revival next time.

Revival Begins with Repentance

By Paula Wiseman

We’re in the home stretch in our look at Biblical revivals. This week, King Josiah leads Judah in their last revival. Babylonian captivity looms in the near future. Josiah’s three sons and a grandson will be the final kings. Knowing that, it seems strange to consider how revivals begin this late in the game. But it is King Josiah’s response to the truth in God’s word that prompts the reforms and revival that followed — repentance.

Josiah is a good king.

Josiah became king at age eight after his father’s assassination. After the moral and spiritual collapse under Manasseh and Amon, no one remembered the revival under Hezekiah or anything else the good king had done. Josiah began to seek God, the God of David, while still in his teens. As a young man, he worked to rid the nation of all traces of the idols worshipped by his father and grandfather. Then he began a temple restoration project and ensured the project was adequately funded.

Maybe we can see some similarities between our lives and Josiah’s. We aren’t royal, but maybe we started following Jesus early in life. Maybe we’ve worked hard to rid our lives of ungodly influences. Maybe we’re committed to the work of the church and give generously to it. That doesn’t mean we don’t need repentance and revival.

The Word of God prompts repentance.

Then the court secretary Shaphan told the king, “The priest Hilkiah has given me a book,” and Shaphan read it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
2 Kings 22:10-11

Faced with the inescapable truth that he and the nation had fallen well short of God’s holy standard, the king tore his clothes in a sign of deep grief and repentance. Hebrews tells us about the power of God’s word:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

Consider your own response to the word of God. Is it just a collection of feel-good sayings? Has it been reduced to slogans for stickers and t-shirts? Or is it a brutally honest mirror, showing us who we really are? It should be. But that’s a very good thing. When we see who we are in all our ugly wretchedness, we see the full, glorious mercy, grace, and love of God through Jesus Christ.

Repentance leads to action.

Josiah was already taking actions that evidenced his devotion to God. After hearing the Law, his personal grief and repentance prompted even more action. He shared God’s Law with his entire kingdom, personally reading it to them. He led the nation to publicly recommit themselves to God. He removed every vestige of idol worship from the kingdom and required worship of the One True God.

Likewise, if our time in God’s word leads us to repentance, our actions must follow. We can’t go back to our routine. If changes like sharing the gospel, renewing our commitment to God, and removing distractions and enticements to sin from our lives aren’t the next step, maybe what we experienced was closer to regret or remorse rather than genuine repentance.

And genuine repentance can’t help but lead to revival.

We have two more revivals. Both occurred after the Jews returned to the land after seventy years of Babylonian captivity.

Revival: Sacrifices and Offerings

By Paula Wiseman

We’re into the second month of the new year now. How are you doing on those resolutions? More importantly, are you experiencing REVIVAL? We have been looking at Biblical revivals to point us in the right direction. Last week, King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah renewed their faith in the midst of a battle. This week King Hezekiah leads Judah in a revival and renewed commitment to God. One of the revival’s early marks was an outpouring of sacrifices and offerings from the people.

When Hezekiah became king, his first act was reopen the Temple. It has been closed on the order of his father and had remained closed for a generation. He called for the priests and Levites to do whatever was necessary to prepare themselves and the Temple for worship. 2 Chronicles 29:17 tells us this task took sixteen days for this small army to accomplish.

Once completed the king oversaw a worship service unlike any that had been held in Judah in quite some time. In it Hezekiah proclaimed:

“Now you are consecrated to the LORD. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the LORD’s temple.” So the congregation brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all those with willing hearts brought burnt offerings.
2 Chronicles 29:31

The people responded and how. They brought so many offerings there weren’t enough priests to prepare them all. The revival continued and resulted in the greatest Passover celebration in the nation’s history.

So, what does this account have to do with us?

When our faith is revived, we can’t help but recognize all that God has done for us. Specifically, how He poured out His mercy and grace, lavishly and without reservation to save our unworthy souls. In turn, that realization stirs our hearts in at least two important ways.

To bring our tithes and offerings to give generously to the work of the gospel.

Ministers and missionaries in the New Testament as well as those called today make their living from the gifts and offerings of those ministered to. Paul says in 1 Timothy

“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18

The world desperately needs the gospel and all believers can have a part in that great work through their gifts.

To give generously to help those in need.

One of the distinctive marks of believers is their love and care for each other, especially those in need. Again, Paul says,

At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.
Romans 15:25-26

If neither the spread of the gospel nor the needs of others move us to sacrifice and offerings perhaps we need revival as desperately as the people of Judah in Hezekiah’s day.

Revival in the Midst of the Battle

By Paula Wiseman

Revival in the midst of battle title graphic

We’re into the second month of the new year now. How are you doing on those resolutions? More importantly, are you experiencing REVIVAL? We have been looking at Biblical revivals to point us in the right direction. We’ve seen how Israel recommitted themselves to God’s Law after their great sin in making the golden calf. The prophet Samuel led the nation in a revival that began with throwing out their idols. King David sets the example for worship. But sometimes revival breaks out in unexpected circumstances, like when King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah renewed their faith in the midst of a battle.

Jehoshaphat was a decent king. He was generally a good, godly ruler, but he was overly friendly with Ahab, the wicked king of the northern kingdom, Israel. He allowed his son to marry Ahab’s daughter and he agreed to join Ahab in battle against the Arameans at the battle of Ramoth-gilead. The king barely escaped with his life. Ahab was not so fortunate. A prophet named Jehu called the king out for his lack of wisdom and discernment. Jehoshaphat got the message. But not long after, Moab and Ammon both declare war on Judah. Let’s pick up the narrative in 2 Chronicles 20

The battle looms

Then some came and reported to Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, out of Aram and behold, they are in Hazazon-tamar (that is Engedi).” Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
2 Chronicles 20:2-3 (NAS)

Faced with an enemy, Jehoshaphat calls for a fast and seeks the Lord. Unspoken in that, is repentance, getting rid of pride and self-sufficiency. The king claims the promises God made to His people.

“O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”
2 Chronicles 20:12 (ESV)

In this moment of fear and desperation, Jehoshaphat is doing exactly what he should.
When we face our own times of powerlessness and fear, we should follow the king’s example and bring it all to God, remembering His goodness, His love and mercy, and His power and promises.

God hears the king’s prayer and sends this message:

‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”
2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 (ESV)

Notice God does not deny that Judah is facing a real threat. He agrees the coming army is “a great horde.” But He is set to fight for and deliver Judah.

This is when revival breaks out.

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. And the Levites, of the Kohathites and the Korahites, stood up to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.
2 Chronicles 20:18-19 (ESV)

The next morning as the army of Judah marched out to fight the enemy the king appointed singers to go before the army, singing, “Give thanks to the LORD for His steadfast love endures forever!”

And when they began to sing and praise, the LORD set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed.
2 Chronicles 20:22 (ESV)

The revival happened BEFORE the victory.

When the people focused on the character of God and His holiness, their faith was revived. Their spirits were stirred, and they burst out in songs of praise as they marched to battle. They did not have to wait for proof that God would deliver. They trusted that His word was good.

Perhaps the battles we face don’t have such well-defined armies of enemies. Perhaps the timing is uncertain. But GOD is the same. HE is the same God who heard and responded to Jehoshaphat’s prayers. If we meet our battles with consecrated faith rather than knee-jerk fear, we can have revivial even in the midst of battle.

Revival: Worship with All Your Might

By Paula Wiseman

A new year is a good time to take stock and evaluate where we are compared to where we need to be. Many people, unhappy with that evaluation will make resolutions, and it’s no secret most of those people will abandon those commitments within a few days. As believers, we may be less in need of a resolution and more in need of REVIVAL. Biblical revivals can point us in the right direction. We’ve seen how Israel recommitted themselves to God’s Law after their great sin in making the golden calf. The prophet Samuel led the nation in a revival that began with throwing out their idols. This week, King David sets the example in a key mark of a believer and shows us the short path to revival — worship.

And David danced before the LORD with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. 2 Samuel 6:14

Let’s start with some background. In 2 Samuel 5, David is crowned king of all twelve tribes and he decisively defeats the Philistines. The next item on his agenda is to bring the Ark of God into the capital city of Jerusalem. The first attempt ended in failure and the death of one of David’s men. In 1 Chronicles 15:13 David explained what the problem was.

“Because you [the Levites] did not carry it [the Ark] the first time, the LORD our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.” 1 Chronicles 15:13

Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem was a good idea, but David did what made sense, what seemed reasonable to him. He was wrong. When Uzzah reached out and touched the Ark to keep it from sliding off the cart, he did what seemed reasonable. He was wrong. God had chosen the Levites to carry the Ark.

There is a proper way to approach God in worship and HE determines what that is.

In the New Testament, we learn that we have access to God through the blood of Jesus Christ, and that we come to God in faith and with humility. Worship is a chance to ascribe to God the honor due His name and to extol His greatness. Does God have a preference of worship styles? Have we ever asked?

Second Samuel 6:14 also tells us David was wearing a linen ephod, the garment of the Levites. It was a uniform of service and ministry. This garment, rather than his king’s robes, better reflected his heart as he worshiped.

There were songs, there was music and there were sacrifices. Lots of sacrifices. Every six steps, in fact. Since the death of Christ, we no longer have to offer sacrifices to cover our sins or restore peace with God. However, the idea of sacrifice is still connected with worship. Jesus instructs us to deny ourselves, to leave family behind, to take up our cross, to die to self.

After the Ark was safely in its own special tent in Jerusalem, and after yet more sacrifices, David gave gifts to everyone.

When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offering, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. Further, he distributed to all the people, to all the multitude of Israel, both to men and women, a cake of bread and one of dates and one of raisins to each one. Then all the people departed each to his house. 2 Samuel 6:18-19

When you spend time considering the grace and mercy God has shown you, you can’t help but be gracious and generous to others.

Finally, when you worship with all your might, others may question your motives. Like Michal did with David.

But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!” 2 Samuel 6:20

The text calls Michal “Saul’s daughter” rather than David’s wife. Perhaps that is to draw attention to her attitude. She, like her father, cared much more what the people thought than what God thought. She accused David of humiliating himself showing off for the girls. David told her as much, and he wasn’t at all deterred, essentially responding, “I wasn’t doing it to impress you.”

So why don’t we have revival every week, then? We go to church every week, don’t we? Yes, but do we worship? And more importantly, do we worship with all our might? I suspect if we did there would be a revival like we’ve never seen.