A Verse to Live by.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

What a verse! How often is this verse used to motivate us for revival? Consider the topic of revival. Revival can be thought of a movement from God. It is an awakening. Webster defined revival like this. 1. Return, recall or recovery to life from death or apparent death; as the revival of a drowned person. 2. Return or recall to activity from a state of languor; as the revival of spirits. 3. Recall, return or recovery from a state of neglect, oblivion, obscurity or depression; as the revival of letters or learning. 4. Renewed and more active attention to religion; an awakening of men to their spiritual concerns. Four definitions, all focusing on doing what should have been done in the first place. Four definitions, all showing us that for some reason what should have been done was stopped. May I say, that is exactly what we need today. I believe that revival should be seen as a personal matter and not a national matter. If we see that this verse is speaking about us as individuals than we will see God work on a larger scale. With that being said we should consider this verse as a verse to live by.

The first thing that can be see is the personal relationship. Revival is for God's people. This is why I believe revival will not fix our government. It's not meant to. It is designed to help our homes and our churches. Are you one of God's people, by this I mean, are you saved? If not this verse does not apply to you. If you are saved does your relationship with God need to return to a former state? Do you need to have a renewed and more active attention to Him. Remember a relationship is more than knowing a person, it is getting to know a person. How well do we know God? Our lack of a personal relationship is one reason we make the wrong decisions because we do not know God well enough to know what He wants us to do.

The second thought from this verse is a humbling experience. Take note again of what Webster said. Notice the verse he used and the example he gave. 3. Lowly; modest; meek; submissive; opposed to proud,haughty, arrogant or assuming. In an evangelical sense, having a low opinion of one's self, and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. James 4. Without a humble imitation of the divine author of our blessed religion, we can never hope to be a happy nation. We are a very proud people. It is one thing to take pride in our work, meaning we strive to do our best. It is another to be boastful of what we do and what we have accomplished. Our pride hinders the work of God more than what we think. God wants to work through us but we are so filled with ourselves that there is no room for God. Remember this is a verse to live by. Meditate on what God thinks of pride. Make a conscience effort to be humble. God will show us how. He has a way of humbling us.

The third thought focuses on our prayer life. Seeking God's face is an earnest search. It is more than a "dear Jesus, help all the missionaries," type of prayer. If we seek God then it will help our personal relationship. It will help us to be humble because we would see Him as He is, the way Isaiah did in Isaiah chapter six. It will also help us with the next thought to live by.

The fourth thought to live by is we need to take our sin seriously. God calls sin wicked. We call sin a mistake or in some cases a disease. God wants us to turn from our wicked ways. Have you ever noticed in John chapter four when Jesus talked to the woman at the well He dealt with her sin. I realize that He was dealing with a lost person and it gives us an excellent picture of how to witness to someone. Let us make a personal application. We are all still sinners. Salvation did not make us perfect. We will be perfect when we receive that glorified body. However, right now we still have sin to deal with. Our problem is we like our sin. In fact when we are looking at ourselves we don't see sin as wicked. God does. My friend, we need to turn from our wicked ways. Do it God's way by seeking his face.

The last thought from this verse to live by is the promise that God gave. If we live by this verse God has promised to hear us. Do we long for God to hear us? If God hears us He will send revival to us. I wonder what would happen if one person lived by this verse? Is it possible for this to spread and effect the home and even the church? What would happen to a community if a church lived by this verse? It all starts with one person living by this verse. May God help us to live by 2 Chronicles 7:14

Thoughts on Revival.

What is the greatest need in our country? Is it the repeal of the health care bill that our congress has forced upon us? Is it a boost in job growth? I would argue that the greatest need in our country is a Spiritual Awakening. I speak knowing mine own heart. I need revival. Contrary to what seems to be a popular belief, revival will not fix our government. It will help up the individual believers that make up the churches. It will refocus us on the main thing, which is world-evangelism.

With that as a foundation let us consider the second Beatitude. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matt 5:4 (KJV) It sounds like a paradox, mourning and comfort. What is the cause of the mourning? Is it loss? Is it grief? Consider mourning over sin. If the latter is the reason for the mourning then this verse would be a key verse in a revival. Godly sorrow worketh repentance. When we are right with God we are comforted by the Holy Spirit. What would we be like if we saw the mourning as grief over our own sins? What would we see God do, not just in our lives, but through us as well? Are we hindering the work of God because we are not mourners? I believe, now more than ever, we need a Spiritual Awakening. Not to fix the government, but to fix our country.

The prayer for revival requires a personal look. Do not look at our neighbors, that will mislead us into believing we are alright. Take an honest look at ourselves, by using the Bible as our standard. Our response would be like Isaiah in chapter six. It is not an enjoyable experience, but it is one that is needed.

May God help us as we mourn over our sins in our pursuit of the comfort of revival.