HOW GOD USED HEZEKIAH TO BRING REVIVAL
Text: Numbers 21:4-9; 2 Kings 18: 1-7 W. Max Alderman
INTRODUCTION: That which was greatly used of the Lord 700 years earlier had become an idol. I am sure for hundreds of years the children and the grandchildren had heard the stories of how God brought deliverance to a sinful nation by their looking at the brazen serpent on a pole. With the passing of time they were still looking at the pole instead of looking at the God of the pole. They had turned the brazen serpent into an idol and were offering incense to it. Hezekiah very courageously said by his actions, “If we are going to have revival around here, we need to get rid of some things…” He not only removed the high places but he “brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made”. I feel that if we explore together this ancient story that there is something to be learned about revival. May we look at this good king and how he conducted himself in a nation that had turned to idolatry.
I. HOW GOD USED HEZEKIAH’S COURAGE TO BRING ABOUT REVIVAL. (2 Kings 18:1-4)
In these wicked days that we live, just as it was during Hezekiah’s reign, it takes great courage to do right. Joshua 1:6-9 records how Joshua was told to be strong and of good courage.
A. Hezekiah certainly had the courage to do the right thing… (Vv. 1-3)
The key to revival with Hezekiah as it is with us is that “he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord…” Old Bob Jones, Senior stressed the value of doing right when he said, “It is always right to do right; do right even if the stars fall; never do wrong to get a chance to do right; do right whether you want to or not,” and “Do right whether it is convenient or not”.
Doing right has become an issue of relativity. We are learning to define right by what may be politically correct or what may be the humanistic accepted norm. The humanistic universities should never establish our standards for that which is right. The vulgar talk show host should not establish our standard for doing right and that is certainly including Rosie O’Donnell. The “come out of their closets-gay agenda crowd” should not sell us on their definition of what is right. Our definition of right should be what is right in the sight of the Lord. If we are to see revival, we must humble ourselves and return to Him. Here is what Finny said about revival: Revival is
"..nothing else than a new beginning of obedience to God. Just as in the case of a converted sinner, the first step is a deep repentance, a breaking down of heart, a getting down into the dust before God, with deep humility, and a forsaking of sin." (Charles G. Finney)
B. Hezekiah Certainly Had The Courage to Remove the Wrong Things. (V. 4).
We are told that Hezekiah “removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made”.
For there to be real revival, there will need to be a removable of anything that will be a hindrance in ones life. There will need to be the removable of and the putting to death of some things such as shown in Colossians 3:5-10. These things here that are to be mortified or “put off” are referred to as idols. We need to do as Hezekiah did and break down these things!
II. HOW GOD USED HEZEKIAH’S COVICTION TO BRING ABOUT REVIVAL. (Vv. 5-6)
When a person really trusts in the Lord, he will have deep conviction about those things which are right. This is the reason that we are admonished to “Trust and obey”.
A. His Trusting Portrayed a Difference (V. 5)
When you trust in the Lord it will be seen in your testimony. There will be a remarkable difference from one who trusts the Lord and has the conviction to faithfully obey the Lord and one who does not.
B. His Trusting Provided Him With Direction. (Vv. 6,7)
If there is anything that our churches need in regards to revival, it is a sense of direction knowing where God is leading us. We must have a sense of direction just like a homing pigeon with our eyes fixed upon heaven. When churches need revival, they also lack direction. God give us the direction that we need to continue the mission that we have upon earth!
CONCLUSION: Hezekiah knew that there were those things that were robbing the affection that belonged to the Lord only, that he had to destroy. Maybe there are some things that are robbing you of your affection.
