The Second Result of Revival is Holiness

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31:1-4

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession.  And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites by their divisions, each according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks and to praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord.  He also appointed the king’s portion of his goods for the burnt offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths and for the new moons and for the fixed festivals, as it is written in the law of the Lord. Also he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord.

Insights:  Yesterday we learned the first evidence or result of revival is the joy we have in the Lord.  In today’s verses we discover the second evidence or result of revival is holiness.  Notice that for the first time in any kings reign the people destroyed all high places and altars which were used for worship of false gods.  The people returned to the worship of the Lord for all of the festivals which had not happened since king David reigned.  In other words, these people had a righteous indignation toward sin.  They recognized the evil that it was and treated it for the vile thing it is.  Whenever they noticed sin, they dealt with it.  They purged their land of the evil sinfulness of these pagan gods.  Beloved, this makes me think about the verse in James which states, “friendship with the world is hostility toward God (4:4).”  The church is full of people who have compromised with this world and are trying to be “good Christians” on Sunday, but live just like the world the rest of the week.  This kind of life is NOT holy.  It is depraved and puts us in the position of being in hostility towards the Lord.  May the Lord God grip His Bride, the Church, and transform our hearts and lives.  May we desire holiness and purity more than the fleeting pleasures of this earthly world.

Questions:

1.  Do you tolerate and make excuses for your sin in your life?

2.  Are you in friendship with this world?

Prayer: Father, You have a holy disdain for sin.  Transform my heart I pray and let me equally have a hatred toward my sinfulness.  May my life be characterized by holiness and a constant pursuit of You.  Amen.