Be Ready For the Opposition to Revival

As the revival in Hezekiah’s day continued, it was not long until the opposition rose up. In revival there will be opposition. In 2 Chronicles 32:1 – 8, you find the account of the opposition and what Hezekiah did about it. “After these things and these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah…” As you begin to learn to worship the Father in spirit and truth and experience personal revival, get ready for the world, the flesh, and the devil to come against you. Learn from Hezekiah how to prepare.

         The first thing Hezekiah did was to provide a constant water supply into the city of Jerusalem. Hezekiah’s tunnel is still there today. Bringing water into the city and stopping up the other water sources outside the walls limited the water for the enemy and gave the city a constant supply.

In revival you stay filled with the Holy Spirit, the water of life, and give no foothold to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). Sometimes the flesh will take over during a season of revival and will quench the Spirit. In Ephesians 6:16 you find that the shield of faith will quench the flaming arrows of the evil one. Learning which fire to quench is essential anytime, but especially in revival. Having the water of life, the Holy Spirit, keeps the fire of the Spirit burning and quenches the flaming arrows of the devil.

The next thing you see Hezekiah doing to prepare for Sennacherib is that he built up and strengthened the wall around Jerusalem, “He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it be built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David.” 32:5. The Millo was an old fortification that David built in his day to protect the city. By the time of Hezekiah, Jerusalem had grown beyond its original size during the days of David, but the city of David was still there and needed the old fortification strengthened.

When revival comes and God begins to do a new thing, it is important not to lose sight of how God first began to move in your heart. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. The Lord does not change, nor does the enemy and his schemes. The fortifications of accountability, of discipline, of faithfulness to God’s word, to prayer, the fellowship of believers, and of missions have not changed. But in times of revival they can easily be neglected if not guarded. Make sure you strengthen the Millo in revival. Hezekiah did.

Another thing that Hezekiah did in preparation for attack was that “…he made weapons and shields in abundance. And he set combat commanders over the people…” 32:5 – 6. In 2 Corinthians 10:3 – 6 you learn that “…the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.” The word “destroy” is the Greek word kataluo, which means to demolish completely. Keeping God’s word in your mind by meditating on memory verses is a powerful weapon against the attacks of the world, the flesh, and the devil. It will completely demolish the lies you have believed from the enemy.

Hezekiah also encouraged God’s people by saying, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is the arm of the flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” 32:7 – 8. The phrases that Hezekiah used are almost word-for-word from Joshua’s day. Not doubt he knew those words as well as the people. Prepare for the opposition by being and staying encouraged in God’s word and the promises that He has given to you of His presence with you. Pray His promises and yours.

Learn the lessons of revival from God’s word and practice them. Most of all, keep you eyes on Jesus, “…the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David, for He has conquered!” Revelation 5:5. AMEN!