Saturday, April 2: 2Chronicles 31- Revival

The Passover celebration we read about yesterday sparked a revival, a deepening and re-kindling on the peoples’ faith like nothing seen in Jerusalem since the days ‘The Ark of the Covenant’ arrived.

The Passover was not a one (or two) week wonder.  Following the Passover, Hezekiah launched a reinstitution of Temple worship, complete with daily offering and the singing of the Lord’s praises. Even in time of faithfulness there has been no record of this depth of obedience and worship in Judah since David and early Solomonic days. Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions--each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites--to offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the LORD's dwelling.

The king personally contributed from his own possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons and appointed feasts as written in the Law of the LORD (3). His heart was truly touched, along with his peoples’ hearts. According to verses 4-7 the people began bringing their tithes and offerings, so great was their generosity that storehouses had to be erected to hold the pile upon piles of food and produce.

God was praised in word and DEED… that’s revival!

O, God, I pray for an outbreak of revival here in my day and in my town. Lord God, pour out Your Spirit and transform my heart and the hearts of Your people in and throughout my community. And then, Lord, may the praises and deeds of those of us touched by Your revival spill out over our neighbors, coworkers, and community, calling them to faith in Jesus in droves… not ones or tens but by the hundreds and thousands. May the harvest be great, O, Lord.

And, Lord, show me (us) what You would have us do to cooperate with Your Great Holy Spirit Revival outpouring. Hezekiah gave freely of his wealth.  He employed his organizing and administrative talents, too. People worshiped and praised and gave generously.  Show me, Lord, what I should do to cooperate with You so that revival would come to my town. Amen.