Readings for today: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-31, Psalms 48
All it takes is one. One godly person to turn around the fortunes of a family or a community or a nation. One godly person who is dedicates him or herself to the Lord. Who seeks God’s face. Who walks in God’s ways. Who waits on the Lord continually and faithfully. It doesn’t take a perfect person. There are no such people. But a godly person. A person who has a heart after God. A person who is unwilling to compromise with sin. A person who is unwilling to tolerate idolatry. A person who understands their own desperate need for grace. I have seen such people transform a family system. A mother who prays earnestly for her unbelieving children. A father who leads his family to the Lord. A pastor who initiates revitalization and renewal in the heart of a congregation. A leader who brings unity to a formerly divided community or nation.
Hezekiah was such a man. The polar opposite of his father. Faithful in all his ways. “He did what the Lord approved, just as his ancestor David had done.” (2 Kings 18:3 NET) He reversed all the corrupt changes Ahaz had made. He rededicated the Temple. He eliminated the high places. He smashed the idols of Baal and Asherah. He even demolished the bronze serpent Moses had made in the wilderness because it had become an idol to the people of Israel. He also reinstituted true worship. He put all the prescribed worship elements back in their rightful place. He performed all the right sacrifices. He celebrated Passover. He consecrated the priests and Levites. He called the people of Israel and Judah to repentance. And though many mocked and ridiculed him, God blessed his courage and faithfulness. People from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves to join in the feast. God also gave Hezekiah great victories on the battlefield. Increased his influence and stature among the nations. And used his example to inspire the people who, in turn, gave generously and sacrificially and then returned home and destroyed the high places and idols in their own communities.
This is what we call revival. It’s not just an emotional event. It’s not just a mountaintop experience. True revival results in repentance. A change of heart. A change of direction. A change in behavior. A change in how we live. Hezekiah experienced his own personal revival and then used his influence and position and power to lead a revival for the nation. You and I may not be kings or queens but we do have influence. We do have position. We do have some power over our own lives and the lives of those entrusted to our care. Pray for revival in your own heart. Ask God to lead you to repentance so you, in turn, might lead others to repent as well. You never know what kind of ripple effect the Spirit will create when one person takes their stand on the gospel.
Readings for tomorrow: Isaiah 27-30