Also the hand of God was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 30:12
Take a closer look at the photo above. Do you see the haziness? I wondered, “Do they have a smoke machine here at Pursuit?” No. They do not. That cloud that you see is supernatural. It is the cloud of God’s glory.
What does Revival look like? Here in the Pacific Northwest nightly praise and worship at Pursuit Church has us thinking about, talking about and praying for “revival.”
I am impressed with the revival during King Hezekiah’s time (2 Chr. 29-31). I am examining it as an example for revival in our time.
King Hezekiah reopened the doors of the temple which his father had closed. He assigned the Levites to cleanse and consecrate the temple. He reestablished the singers and musicians.
We, the body of Christ, are the temple in the New Testament era (1 Cor. 3:16). The Spirit of God dwells in us collectively and individually. Whenever I pray for revival, I feel remiss if I do not give God permission to begin in my own heart. I must reopen my own temple if I hope to pray impactful prayers for the church as a whole.
King Hezehiah asked the priestly tribe of Levi to cleanse and consecrate the temple. The New Testament priesthood is you and me (1 Pet. 2:9). The King of kings has assigned us the task of cleansing and consecrating the temple. Again, before we can cleanse and consecrate the corporate body, we must do so in our own temple. Have we cleansed ourselves with the washing of the water of the Word (Eph. 5:26)? Have we consecrated our own temple to the good, acceptable and perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2)?
The first priority after cleansing and consecration was to reestablish the singers and musicians. King David had established a rotation of worshipers who ministered to God continually (1 Chr 16:37). King Hezekiah reestablished that 24/7 worship. I am thankful that God has placed me in a church that prioritizes the worship and praise of God. I pray you are equally blessed. Praise and worship are the seedbed for revival.
Next King Hezekiah planned to keep the Passover, and he invited the people of God in the northern kingdom to participate. Most laughed and mocked, but some came. And God gave them singleness of heart.
“Singleness of heart” stands out to me. How many years have I prayed for “unity” in the body of Christ? Too many to count. The King of kings has invited us to participate in the celebration of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of world (Jn 1:29). Most laugh and mock. But some will come, and God will give us singleness of heart. When that supernatural unity comes upon us, what will that look like? Great Joy!
King Hezekiah prayed for the people and God healed them (2 Chr. 30:18-20). The people of God celebrated for seven days with great joy. The priests praised with loud instruments. The King spoke encouragingly to all the priests. Sacrifices and offerings to the Lord exhibited their gratefulness to Him. They had such a blessed time, the whole assembly decided to celebrate with joy another 7 days. Joy is reiterated several times throughout the passage.
That is what revival looks like: JOY. The people of God rejoicing over the Lamb of God with singleness of heart.
Revival also looks like reformation. During King Hezekiah’s revival, the people of God removed all idols from their midst. As the people returned home from two weeks of joyous celebration, they broke sacred pillars and wooden images. They removed all the high places and altars to other gods. The Word says, “They utterly destroyed them all.”
In addition to removing all vestiges of idol worship, King Hezekiah and the people abundantly contributed support for the priestly tribe of Levi. All the people brought their first fruits until rooms in the temple had to be cleared out to store the abundance. They faithfully brought in the offerings, tithes and dedicated things (2 Chr. 31:12).
I am anticipating revival in our day. With joy I am celebrating Jesus at Pursuit with other believers in singleness of heart. I am basking in the cloud of His glory. And I am praying for that reformation of the Pacific Northwest. What idols and altars will be utterly destroyed? Where will we store the heaps of first fruits brought to the Lord? I watch and wait with joyous expectation . . . .