Readings for today: 1 Kings 15:1-24, 2 Chronicles 13-16
Revival flows from repentance. The two concepts are intimately related in Scripture. In fact, you can’t have one without the other. When God’s people repent of their sins and turn from their wicked ways, God promises to respond. He promises to hear their cries and heal their hearts and restore their nation. Repentance is more than feeling convicted. More than feeling guilty. More than feeling the closeness of God’s Spirit. More than a spiritual high or emotional moment. It always results in godly action. The tearing down of the idols in one’s life. Freedom from addiction to sin. Seeking the righteousness of the Kingdom of God for ourselves and for our neighbors. Justice in our communities and nation.
Asa led a revival in Judah. Following the reigns of his father and grandfather who were half-hearted in their devotion to the Lord, Asa set a godly example for his people to follow. He trusted in the Lord with all his heart. He tore down the idols his people had made. He even removed his own grandmother from her position because she worshipped false gods. He called on God to lead him in battle against overwhelming odds. The result was revival. Many people coming from all over to join his kingdom. He placed the worship of the Living God at the center of his life and the lives of his people and it resulted in tremendous blessing. The land had peace for many years.
As Christians, we look for revival. We pray for revival. We long for revival. But revival flows from a repentant heart. A heart dedicated to God. A life sold out to God. There is nothing God can’t do with a person who fully surrenders to Him.
This week, I have the privilege of spending time with Hal Donaldson and his team from Convoy of Hope. They are a remarkable group of people dedicated to spreading the gospel through humanitarian relief and community development. They have grown from humble beginnings into one of the largest charitable organizations in the world. All because they keep their focus on serving Christ and serving the poor, the hungry, and the hopeless in our world. Hal will tell you his is the most unlikely of stories and yet God is doing a great work through him. In fact, I would argue that the revival of hearts and lives and communities that Convoy fosters is a great example of what happens when repentance gets put into action.
Readings for tomorrow: 1 Kings 15:25-34, 1 Kings 16, 2 Chronicles 17