There is a lot of talk about revival, and certainly we are in need of an authentic one. But revival will not come in the ways that we think or even in some of the ways we are pursuing.
The authentic revivals of history (such as the Welsh revival, the First Great Awakening, the Second Great Awakening) were not birthed by people seeking manifestations. They were not attempting to replicate something God had done before. They did not come with prophetic utterances preceding them. They were not founded on a personality, church, ministry or geographic location. They were not even expected to the magnitude they occurred.
People were hungry for God. They had become desperate for something authentic and had abandoned looking to man for answers. In their desert places, they developed an insatiable hunger and unquenchable thirst for God, and God fulfilled His Word: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).
They pursued God in unity. They laid down all divisions. There were no walls between them. This unity was not concocted superficially nor corrupted by hidden agendas. It was genuine love and acceptance of one another fostered through brokenness, serving in the image of Christ, and desperation for God.
Genuine humility was present. They completely abandoned their own agendas. They were seeking no prosperity on earth. Nothing was more important than finding and knowing God. They desired God’s Name (Isaiah 26:8) and in no way sought to make a name for themselves. They nailed everything they had and everything they were to the cross.
There was undiluted preaching of the Word. No tickling of the ears, no fear of man, no compromise. This fostered an awakening to God’s Word among the people. Every authentic revival was preceded by the preaching and teaching of God’s Word and the people rededicating themselves to the reading and study of God’s Word. Through this, they stripped away the things that had been added to the Cross by cultural, fleshly and self-centered representations of the Gospel. They returned to the basics: love, prayer and the truth of the Word.
True revival wants the name of Jesus to be known among the nations, and thus there was a focus on the Great Commission. The people understood, accepted and adopted God’s priority of reaching souls. God’s priority became their priority – the salvation of the lost and hurting. As they focused on the Great Commission rather than heaping unto themselves, the Holy Spirit empowered them to accomplish the task for which He was sent to the church: “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8).
I have heard people quote and teach on 2 Chronicles 7:14 all of my life. I have taught on it myself, but I now see that this passage has never been more relevant than it is today.
Consider these words from 2 Chronicles 7:12-15 (NLT):
12 “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices.” – What kind of sacrifices? Romans 12:1 sacrifices!
13 “At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14Then if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” – The word “then” is important. “Then” means the following is contingent upon the preceding. God says, “…if I send plagues among you, then if My people …” This word is more relevant in America and the world than ever before!
15 “My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.” – God is ready now to answer the prayer of verse 14. Are we ready to repent, humble ourselves and pray?
16 “For I have chosen this Temple and set it apart to be holy—a place where My name will be honored forever. I will always watch over it, for it is dear to my heart.” – WE are dear to His heart! WE are set apart to be temples of the Holy Spirit who are holy and who bring honor to His name!
We need to prepare the atmosphere for revival with brokenness, repentance, humility, forgiving our brother, surrendering everything to God and seeking Him with all our hearts. If our efforts are pure and reflect 2 Chronicles 7:14, God will respond!
“… Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that He may come and shower righteousness upon you” (Hosea 10:12 NLT).