Don Graham Revival Ministries

"IF my people...will...TURN..." Part II

II Chronicles 30

In our last study in The Yoke we saw how in the revival led by Hezekiah the Holy Spirit seems to highlight the verb to turn of II Chronicles 7:14, as one of the four essential steps God's people must take to experience genuine revival. In that study, noting the ingredients of real revival, we observed:

I.The Purging of the House of God (II Chronicles 29:1-19)

II.The Purification of the Worship of God (II Chronicles 29:30-36)

Note then the continued study in chapter 30 of the principles that govern Biblical Revival—

III. The pre-eminence of the passover

Having purged the house of God and purified the worship of God, Hezekiah now moves to restore the pre-eminence of the Passover. Stretching throughout the history of God's people was the Passover's annual reminder of that momentous night when all those found under the blood of the sacrificial animal sprinkled over the home were spared from the death angel's visit and delivered from bondage. It spoke typically in anticipation of Calvary's blood shed enabling us to sing the long forgotten, When I see the blood, I'll pass, I'll pass over you. The Cross is the heart of our life and is at the heart of revival. Hezekiah's call to restore centrally the long ignored Passover is tantamount to a call to return to the Cross. Now follow the process as the drama unfolds...

A. The Proclamation Issued (vs. 1-5)

Hezekiah sent by post, letters throughout all Israel urgently summoning the people to gather on the second month, fourteenth day to commemorate the Passover. Down through the centuries God has used men to rise and call God's people to revival. In that tradition Hezekiah sent out an urgent message. Like Moses at the foot of Sinai, or Elijah at Carmel, or Nehemiah at the wasted walls of Jerusalem, so Hezekiah rose to plea for a return to the Cross! May God give us such revival in the pulpits of America that God's men will rise and passionately call God's people to return to the Cross.

B. The Proclamation Analyzed (vs. 6-9)

As we examine Hezekiah's proclamation we see that a return to the Cross entails—

1.Turning to God (v.6). If we return to Him, He will return to us. This is the clarion call to broken-hearted repentance.

2.Yielding (v.8) unto Him as we present our members as instruments unto righteousness and holiness.

3.Entering into the sanctuary making sure you do so with clean hands and pure hearts, (v.8)

4.Serving the Lord (v.8) only and wholly as living sacrifices. The call first is to turn—turn! We must be willing to turn from our wicked ways and return to Him. Revival is marked first by God's people weeping their way back to Calvary.

Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness... (Joel 2:12-13)

It is radical repentance, a 180 about face—fast, weep, mourn—it is broken hearted contrition, not merely rending the garments but rending the heart. That was the call that came ringing from Hezekiah through the letters circulated throughout the land.

C. The Proclamation Spurned (v. 10)

Many resisted the message and laughed them to scorn and mocked them, (v.10) There will always be in the church those who will mock and resist any appeal to return to Calvary. Riddled by the fear of man (Proverbs 29:25) many a man of God has backed down from such resistance choosing to return to tepid, lukewarm church life that has a name they live but are dead! We must not be deterred by this kind of resistance. Oh yes, the pressure is real for the enemy will whisper in your ear or shout it over the rooftops, Now, now preacher, let's don't get so radical. Let's be level-headed, don't rock the boat, after all we are meeting budget\ New preacher, be careful, we don't want to offend Bro. Lukewarm, he's promised a sizeable donation for our next project... ad nauseam! And we cower down and shut -up when resistance, laughter and mockery come. May God help us!!!

D. The Proclamation Obeyed (vs. 11-27)

In spite of the protests, Hezekiah pressed on and many of Israel humbled themselves (v.ll) and together with Judah gathered in Jerusalem for the celebration. The result was great gladness (v.21) as the people praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the Lord. Then Hezekiah was able to speak comfortably (i.e., to their heart) to the people. When once you have dealt radically with your sin and obtained the Lord's gracious cleansing, you can be comforted. Remember the sequence! We want our ministers to speak comfortably so as to not remind us of our spiritual dearth and lethargy. Real comfort can come only on the other side of brokenness. Only after God's people had been punished and purged could Isaiah cry,

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins. Isaiah 40:1 -2

Real comfort can only come after sin has been dealt with!! Will you determine with me to personally turn to Him heeding the Psalmist threefold refrain, Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (Psalm 80:3,7,19) and then the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I John 1:7)

Oh, thank God for the blood of Jesus that washes white as snow. For there is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel's veins, where sinners plunge beneath that flood lose all their guilty stain!

Hallelujah—Thank You, God!!