Today's Readings - 2 Chronicles 29-30, Acts 8:26–40, Psalm 78:68–72, Proverbs 16:27–29
Devotional - Microwave Revival
Hezekiah was one of the best kings of Judah, one of only two who were compared favorably with David himself (later, Josiah will be the second). Almost as soon as he ascended to the throne, and having seen the devastation that sin brought to the northern kingdom of Israel, he decided to lead Israel back to fidelity to God.
He started by cleansing the temple and taking all the idolatrous mess that defiled the temple into the Kidron Valley to be burned. He reinstituted proper worship in Jerusalem and reorganized the priests and Levites to reassume their proper roles. Everything had to be done in accord with the commands of God.
It's a pretty familiar pattern for revival. It begins with repentance by God's people and a willingness to put away anything which draws our attention and affection away from God. We must return to worship him as we ought. Fortunately for us, the sacrifice for our sins was made once and for all by Jesus Christ, but we must renew of love and devotion to him.
But there is another element to true revival that escapes American Christianity. Somewhere along the line, someone convinced us that a worship service should only be one hour long. All the prayers, singing, giving, sharing and preaching of God's Word must fit neatly into a 60-minute package. There's no way we can do what we really need to become all God wants us to be in a 60-minute worship service once a week.
Look at 2 Chronicles 30. Hezekiah called all of Israel together to celebrate the Passover, the remembrance of God's great saving act on Israel's behalf. It was supposed to be celebrated every year, but Israel had ignored it for decades, perhaps centuries. So, they gathered and celebrated Passover for 7 full days. Seven full days of worship before God. When's the last time anyone did that?
But here is the kicker, at the end of those 7 days, guess what they did? Verse 23 tells us.
After 7 days of thanksgiving, they decided to devote seven days more to God. Fourteen days. Verse 26 tells us the result of all of that.
The whole congregation decided to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy.
There was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for nothing like this was known since the days of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel.
Judah drew near to God and for the first time since the days of Solomon and the result was joy, what we might call a revival. Judah returned to God. And, according to verse 27, God heard the prayers.
Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.
God responded to his people's genuine, heartfelt worship. He heard their prayers and restored their land.
No, maybe we do not need to spend 14 straight days in the presence of the Lord to find personal revival, but it takes time. We cannot fit God into the corner of our busy lives and hope for good things. Anything that produces spiritual fruit takes time. It takes time to grow in Christ, to build godly character, to draw near to God.
You cannot microwave spiritual renewal. The process of revival is a slow bake. If you try to rush it to fit into your busy schedule, the work of God in us suffers.
Father, thank you that through Jesus we can draw near to you. May I take the time necessary to do that every day.
Think and Pray
Which of the readings spoke most powerfully to you today?Is the Spirit of God moving you to repent of something you are doing, to begin something new, or to change something about your life as a result of your readings? What?
There is no magic formula for time with God, but we can heat our hearts quickly. Spiritual formation takes time - we do not become like Christ overnight.
So, take time in God's word. Take time to pray. Seek him.
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