Revival House Cleaning

The first thing that young king Hezekiah did when he began to reign was to open up the Temple for worship and to reinstall the Levites to their duties of standing before the Lord and ministering to the people of God, according to His word. Hezekiah told the priests to consecrate themselves and the house of the Lord. In 2 Chronicles 29:16 you find the account of the cleansing of the Temple by the priests, “The priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD...”

The word “cleanse” is the Hebrew word taher, which means to purify, to be clean in a moral sense. It was used extensively in the Old Testament to describe anything in relationship with God; people, food for God’s people, items in the Temple, gold, all were described with the word taher.

The Temple in Hezekiah’s day had been defiled with idols and idolatry from previous kings. It had also been abandoned. Hezekiah told the priests to start in the inner part, which was where the Holy of Holies was located. They were told to carry out all of the things that were unclean. These items were the detestable items associated with Baal worship. God had forbidden any association of His people with the pagan worship of the Canaanites. Their worship could be summarized as worshiping creation rather than the Creator.

The second lesson to learn about revival is that cleansing must start in the inner part of your life; your heart and mind. The things of the world, the flesh, and the devil accumulate over time. These things creep in when true worship is neglected. They defile the mind. When your thoughts are unclean, your will (choices) is deceived, and your feelings get in motion to support and carry out the corrupted desires of your will with your body. Your body has memory and quickly programs these choices into learned behavior. The New Testament calls these learned behaviors strongholds.

But when the light of the revelation of God appears, true worship results and these idols are seen for detestable and vile things that they are. Getting rid of them is the new choice, informed by the Holy Spirit in you. The Bible calls this choice, repentance; changing your mind about what had been tolerated and acceptable. Your body will object because it gets quickly comfortable with the routine of sinning. But it will submit to new thoughts, which are based upon the truth of God’s word, and will also learn and remember them just as it did with sinning.

When John the Baptist appeared on the scene, he began preaching the same message that Hezekiah had instructed the priests in his day. John preached a baptism of repentance; a cleansing experience of getting rid of the detestable things in the inner part of life. When Jesus came into Jerusalem for the last week of His life before His crucifixion, He also cleansed the Temple and immediately began healing and teaching there (Matthew 21:12 – 16).

The same cleansing takes place each time you go before the Lord in your personal worship time. The light of God’s word will uncover those things that do not please Him. As you carry out the filth, taking it to the cross, you experience revival house cleaning. This pleases the Father and is vital in your walk with Christ. When the house is cleansed, the Lord moves about freely with healing and sound doctrine.

Today as you spend time in God’s presence, ask Him to reveal the things that He wants removed. As you take them to the cross, ask God to fill you will His healing power and learn of Him. Take a verse from Psalm 119:81 – 88 with you and rejoice with it during the day.

Lessons For Revival From King Hezekiah

      The life of king Hezekiah teaches lessons for revival. According to 2 Chronicles 29:1, Hezekiah began to rule as king when he was twenty-one, and he reigned twenty-nine years. The people of God enjoyed a twenty-nine year revival during his lifetime. One of the most powerful prophets of the Old Testament, Isaiah, prophesied during this long revival. For the next seven days you will learn seven lessons for revival from the life of king Hezekiah, found in 2 Chronicles 29 – 32.

         The Bible says that the first thing the Hezekiah did was to open the doors of the Temple, “In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them.” 29:3. The word “opened” is the Hebrew word patah, which means to open, to loosen bonds, to set free. It is used most often in the Old Testament to describe opening the mouth, ears, and to unfetter the feet, and hands. The word “repaired” is the Hebrew word kazak, which means to make strong. In other words, Hezekiah opened the doors of the Temple and then propped them open to stay opened. He opened up and set in motion the real strength of Israel; true worship.

         It also says that Hezekiah summons the Levites together and commissioned them saying, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the LORD our God.” 29:5 – 6. Imagine the boldness of this rookie king, only twenty-one years old, giving such a strong command his first day in office. The word “consecrate” is the Hebrew word qadash, which means to hallow, to make holy, to be holy. It is used three times in verse five, twice as “consecrate” and once as “Holy.” God is holy. He reveals Himself in His word as holy. This is the first request in the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, “Father, hallowed be thy name,” Luke 11:2. It is what God reveals about Himself in His word.

According to 2 Kings 18, Hezekiah followed after king David in keeping God’s commandments. King David was the worship king of Israel. David’s heart had two beats; worship and war. He united the nation of Israel into a worshiping nation with Jerusalem as the hub of that worship. David defeated the enemies of Israel and never lost a battle (except with himself. See 2 Samuel 11). Hezekiah followed David’s example, which is why he began by reestablishing true worship, based upon God’s holiness, according to God’s word.

Revival begins where true worship is opened and kept open. Those who have studied the revivals of the past all agree that repentant prayer always precedes revival. Repentant prayer is result of God opening up a sinner’s ear to hear His word, the sinner’s eyes to His holiness, then the sinner’s mouth to confess and clean out the filth of sin. Revival is strengthened by revived leaders, like Hezekiah, calling the people of God to follow and keep the word of God. When God opens the ears of His people to hear His word, He reveals His holiness, His power, His love, and there is an invitation to repent, to turn back to Him. This is known as true worship. Revival follows true worship.

Some would say that revival leads to worship. Revival does not produce worship; worship produces revival, because true worship is the result of the revelation of God, of Himself, from His word. When God’s people respond to His revelation of Himself, their eyes are opened to the attributes and true nature of God by their ears having been opened by God to His word. As they respond with repentant prayer, gratitude, and praise, revival results. God will not revive the flesh; He gives life to the spirit in the Spirit of holiness. God gives the gift of revival through true worship. This is one of the ways of God; He gives through, and He gives revival through true worship.

If ever asked, “What comes first, revival or worship?” know that the answer is worship. In fact, no matter what the question is, the answer is always true worship!

Becoming an AMEN

When the three great armies came against king Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:1 – 30, the king set his face to seek the Lord. He prayed out of his relationship with God and from the activity of God from His word, and worshiped. He gathered all Jerusalem together and they heard a word from Jahaziel, the Levite, who encouraged them to stand before the Lord and to watch God win the battle for them. After Jahaziel spoke God’s word, Jehoshaphat fell down before the Lord, while the Levites rose up to praise the Lord. What a scene! Would that we had national leaders who would set their face to seek the Lord, hear a word from God, and fall before Him in humble worship.

The next day, Jehoshaphat addressed the nation, saying in 20:20, “Hear me, Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be established; believe his prophets, and you will succeed.” The word “believe” is the Hebrew word amen, which means to believe, to be firm, to affirm, to be certain. Our English word “amen” is from this Hebrew word. This word is used three times in this verse. It is translated “believe…be established…believe,” but it is the same word; amen.

This is one of the ways of God. When you believe, you become an amen, a believer. In that way, you do not have faith, you become faith; faithful. This new identity is an affirmation of what God has said. His word changes you from the inside out, but not until you receive it from the outside in. The first word that Jehoshaphat spoke was the word “Hear,” which is the Hebrew word shamah. This is one of the main words in the Old Testament for Israel. The word shemah, means to receive a word which then leads to obedience. For Israel, hearing was believing.

When Jesus was asked which commandment was the greatest, in Matthew 22:36 – 38, He quoted Deuteronomy 6:4 – 5, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” This was and still is known as the Shemah. Paul referred to this in Romans 10:17 when he said, “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” God’s word produces faith in the heart of the one who receives it and carries in it the fruit of obedience. Obedience is the work of God, from His own word in you, with you, through you, as you, before the Father and the watching world around you.

You will become what you receive and believe. If you listen to and follow your physical appetites, you will become addicted and enslaved to them. But you are not your appetites! You are not defined by your feelings, either. Feelings can deceive you. You have physical appetites and feelings; you cannot deny nor suppress them. But you have something greater to guide, define, and empower your life; you have received the word of God! You are a blood-washed, born again, Spirit possessed, child of the Most High God! You are an AMEN to what God has said, because first He says it, then, He does it; in you, with you, through you, as you, before the Father and the watching world around you!

Today, hear the word from God as you read the word of God. Pray for His word to find the good soil of your heart, and to be planted deep, AMEN. Ask the Father to water His word with the Holy Spirit, by the reign of the Spirit, in order for Christ Jesus to be glorified in and with and through you, and you will become an amen of Him. This pleases the Father. You will become a true worshiper, one who worships the Father in spirit and truth.

The Battle is the Lord's

God’s word gives instructions in becoming a true worshiper. Setting your face to seek the Lord, just as Jehoshaphat did in 2 Chronicles 20, is the first step. Learning what God has done, according to His word, and praying what God has done with clear confessions of truth is essential in the process of becoming a true worshiper. The next lesson in the story of Jehoshaphat is key; listen to what God will say and then watch Him do it.

         The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 20:14 – 15, “And the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel, the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah…thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid, nor dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.’” Notice the endings on the names of these three Levites, el, ah, ah; their names identified them as having a personal relationship with God. The Levites were given the responsibility to teach Israel the word of God. They led them in worship and taught them the ways of God. The Levites were not given any land in the Promised Land; they were given cities to live in that were scattered throughout all the land of Israel so that they lived among the people in order to teach them. God was their inheritance. Jahaziel was about to speak God’s word, as well as from his experience of being taken care of by God as a Levite.

         The word Jahaziel spoke was very particular, “Tomorrow go down against them. Behold, they will come up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, east of the wilderness of Jeruel. You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf.” He told them when to go out, where to go out, where to find them, in order to watch God fight for them. The phrase “stand firm” is the Hebrew word yahtsab, which means to present before another. It is one of the words for worship, as people would stand before the Lord, presenting themselves before Him as His servants. They were about to engage in a worship war; the kind that pleases the Father!

         The phrase “hold your position” is the Hebrew word ahmad, which means to abide, to remain, the position of a servant before his master. The Greek companion of this word is menow, which Jesus used in John 15:1 – 8 describing how His followers would “abide in Him” and bear fruit. Both of these words and phrases, yahtsab and ahmad describe the position of true worshiper. God told His people to worship Him without fear of the approaching threat. And they listened to Him.

         But how do you know when God is speaking to you, and how can you know for sure what He is saying to you? First, like Jehoshaphat, always set your face to seek the Lord in a position of worship. Worship is an atmosphere conducive to hearing God. Then, know God’s word. Jehoshaphat reviewed God’s word as he set his face to seek the Lord. Third, God will send a witness to confirm with a particular word. Many times it will be a witness with experience, like Jahaziel, and it will be someone who belongs to Him. But you will recognize the word because it will encourage trust in God, it will be in line with His word, and from someone who belongs to God and walks with Him.

         These three lights, of worship, the word, with a witness from the word, will line up into a laser beam of direction for you. In worship there is an inner witness of the Holy Spirit. In the word of God there is a clear moral witness from God’s eternal word. With the witness, there will be a confirmation of the inner witness in line with the eternal word.

         Today, set your face to seek the Lord. Present yourself before God as His servant. And stay in His presence, abide in Him, and you will see God fight for you. He loves you and is for you. Trust Him today.

The Song That Defeats the Enemy

In 2 Chronicles 20:1 – 30 you find the story of how God saved Jerusalem from three great armies that had gathered together to invade and conquer Judah. Upon hearing this news, king Jehoshaphat set his face to worship the Lord. God spoke through Jahaziel, one of the Levites, and assured the king and the people that He would fight for them. They received God’s word and became the amen of it. The next part of the story, 20:21 – 23, is thrilling.

Jehoshaphat appointed the priests to dress in their holy attire, to go before the army, and to sing one song to the Lord, “Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever.” This song is found in several psalms, but is primary in Psalm 107 and 136. Both of these songs tell the stories of great trials and threats and how God stepped in to save and to deliver His people. They celebrate the greatness and goodness of God on behalf of His covenant people. Placing this priestly choir in front of the army was reminiscent of what Joshua did when he and the people encircled Jericho for seven days (Joshua 6:1 – 7).

Gratitude is the foundation of worship because it celebrates the greatness and goodness and love of God. Likewise, ingratitude is the foundation of sin and is an expression of suppressing the truth of God’s revelation of Himself. Paul states it clearly in Romans 1:18 – 23, that “…what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them…his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature…but they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…” But Jehoshaphat responded to God’s revelation with gratitude and praise.

When the choir and the army left Jerusalem, following the particular word from God through Jahaziel, they were still several miles from the three invading armies. But 20:22 says that God “…set an ambush against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir…” The word “ambush” is the Hebrew word ahrab, which means to wait for the purpose of destroying someone or something. God was waiting for the invading armies. It says that God “…routed them.” The word “routed” is the Hebrew word nagap, and is used in the Old Testament to describe a death-blow. It literally means to strike, but has the meaning of death as the result of the blow. As God’s people, led by gratitude and praise, marched toward the enemy, God caused the invading armies to turn on each other and they literally killed each other without a single one surviving.

The author was telling this story to his sons, ages five and three at the time, when the oldest, Ben, asked, “Daddy, if they all turned on each other, killing each other, how did the last guy die?” Dan, his brother, always watching Ben, looked at me and also nodded, wanting to know the answer. I said, “It doesn’t say in the Bible, but I guess the last guy had been wounded so badly during the confusion, that he must have bled to death.” Both boys are now doctors and I have often wondered if this story may have encouraged them to pursue the medical profession. Not sure, but today they are both fine Christian physicians.

When Jehoshaphat with the choir and the army arrived on the scene, it took them three days to gather up the spoil and on the fourth day they had a great celebration and named the place the Valley of Beracah, which means the valley of blessing. God had blessed them with a victory and with the spoils of war while they were blessing Him with gratitude and praise. The point is clear: Listen to what God has said in His word and is saying to you through His messengers. The revelation will be of Himself. You will learn from it, which will result in gratitude and praise for Him. And the enemies of God will be routed, which will result in great victory and blessings! This is the kind of worship war that pleases the Father. Hallelujah!!!