Sometimes it takes a certain person who is walking in the ways of the Lord, for a revival to take place on earth. A person who is filled with the Holy Spirit and is ready to do as the Lord God asks of them. This person could be me, could be you, or someone else. God knows where we stand with Him, and therefore, will use the person who is most willing to serve Him. Then, an entire town, city, state, or even country, can be turned upside down. People may have walked in the ways of their own desires, which led them to lust after one another and to follow false gods, but then a man or women of God comes forth speaking boldly of the gospel message of the cross, and also God’s wrath upon the wicked, and everything changes. Why is this? Is it because of the person’s elegant words? No. It was because they knew it was God speaking through that person. Therefore, if they did not repent and accept Jesus as Lord, then hell would await them come death. One such person who spoke boldly for God, and also went forth and did His will was King Asa. It is recorded that he 1“took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 15:8) He heard what the prophet Obed said, 1“if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2) But he didn’t keep these words to himself but jumped to make a change in the land for God. This is what is called boldness, my friends. He was filled with courage and acted out on it. All because he was in right standing with God.
It was then that the revival began. Asa then 1“gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.” (2 Chronicles 15:9) Were the people angry with him? No. Because they knew God was doing the work in Him, 1“they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul.” (2 Chronicles 15:12) 1“And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.” (2 Chronicles 15:14,15) It is also said that 1“the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.” (2 Chronicles 15:17) Wow! How amazing is this? So we have all the people in the kingdom of Judah dedicating their lives to God. Many of them were probably not caring as much to do God’s will, but after Asa did what he did, the fear of God came upon the people, which led them to repentance. They knew that they were not walking in the ways of the Lord and were sorry. Therefore, they made an oath to God, to seek Him with their whole heart. Praise God. Now, 2“dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1) A revival may soon come to our nation if people would just turn to the Lord. Who will then rise up to be God’s hands and feet? The Lord wants to use you to spread the gospel, and to showcase His good works among the people.
Let us pray:
Lord, I just pray that people will desire to do Your will. So many people that say they believe in You are really far from You. They have no desire to listen and obey You, but only look this way while at church or with their Christian friends. This is so sad that people make no time for prayer and to read the Bible daily. Other things have become more important to them, which they have really become their gods. If people do not wake up from their wickedness, then they will not be with You in heaven, but find themselves in hell come death. Lord, this really makes me sad to think of all the people that don’t really know You, and therefore, are on the path of destruction. So please use me and others in the faith to awaken these people that are sleeping. Help us share the good news of the cross and resurrection, that they may begin to cling to You for salvation. It is one thing to just say that we love You, but another to showcase it in everything we do in life. You are able to do a mighty work in the lives of all people, but only if we put our trust in You. Help me demonstrate this trust as I go out in all the world to proclaim the good news of the gospel. Open my mouth and fill it with the Holy Spirit. Give me utterance to speak to the people, that they may be moved to repentance and to know You, Jesus, as their Lord and Savior. You are the Lord God who saves. Every person that will put their trust in You will be able to do greater things in this life and the life to come. So shine this day in the hearts of the people that are reading this prayer and to those that are humble, all through the globe. We want to serve You with more than our words, but with all our heart in Your good works in us, this day and forever. I love You, Jesus. I trust in You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.