The Way to Spiritual Revival
Hezekiah
was a good king in the history of the Jewish nation. He followed everything
that David had done previously. There was no other like him among all the other
kings. In the Bible is a lengthy record of how he led the people back to God
and how God listened to his prayers that brought about the spiritual revival of
the Jewish nation. Revival of spirituality and people seeking to return to God
are closely inter-related. We can see the way to spiritual revival in chapters
29 – 31 of 2 Chronicles. There are the following important understandings –
1.
The server must first
consecrate himself and fight against his sins - Hezekiah
determined to reopen the
2
Turn back under the discipline
of God - Hezekiah pointed out that the Israelites experienced
great suffering (The Jews lost 180,000 soldiers in one day, and 200,000
citizens were captured), were scattered among the nations, were scorned and
humiliated, and were killed and captured because their forefathers sinned,
turned their backs on their covenant with God and desecrated the Holy Temple
(29:6-9). Hezekiah also wrote to Judah and the tribes of
3. Recognize the effectiveness of the
blood of atonement - After the Holy Temple was purified and before any
sacrifice and worship, Hezekiah followed the requirements of the law and presented
a sin offering for his country, the temple, and the people. He sprinkled the
blood of bulls, rams, male lambs and male goats onto the altar, followed by
burnt offers and peace offerings (29:20-24, 35). Without the shedding of blood
there is no forgiveness. Sinners are declared righteous and saved from the
wrath of God through the blood of His Son. In order to achieve spiritual
revival, believers must recognize the effectiveness of the precious blood of
the lamb of God. “When
Christ came … He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but
he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained
eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)
4.
Transgressions do not transcend
Grace - Because the cleansing of the temple went past the 14th
day of the first month, and there were insufficient consecrated priests, and
those who had traveled from far away did not have enough time to consecrate
themselves in accordance with the purification rules of the sanctuary, so they
did not celebrate the Feast of Passover that was supposed to occur on the 14th
day of the first month until the 14th day of the second month. This
was as instructed by God (Numbers 9:9-11). Hezekiah prayed for those who fell
short of the purification rules but had set their hearts on seeking God. The
Lord heard his prayers and forgave these people (30:20). If spiritually
defeated and weak believers will return to God, they will discover that He is the
Lord who heals and binds up wounds (Hosea 6:1-3), for He is a gracious and
compassionate Lord.
Dear
brothers and sisters, we do not have to wait until summer camp for our spirits
to be revived. Whenever we turn back from following our own way, repent and
leave our sins, and steadfastly rely on and follow God, He will bestow grace
and compassion on us. God has said to His chosen people, “Return, faithless
people; I will cure you of backsliding.” (Jeremiah 3:22)
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