Some portions of this message have been gleaned or borrowed from materials and lessons found on the Internet.
Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14
Lesson Subject: “THE KEY TO SURVIVAL IS REVIVAL”
My brothers and sisters ... there’s a new fashion accessory in the 21st century, but it’s more about safety than it is about style.
Practically every where you look these days you see someone wearing a mask — and rightly so. Masks are a symbol of the pandemic era – a visual metaphor for the tiny, unseen viral foe that could be lurking around any corner.
But for years I’ve been reminding people that regardless to how well we cover our face, God sees us and knows who we really are. There is no hiding from him.
Some folks have opted for a scarf wrapped around their face, others make do with a towel folded and tied or secured somehow behind their head.
But whether it’s fancy or plain, the thought behind the mask is SURVIVAL. In fact, many health experts say “a mask is one of the keys to survival”. And while I won’t argue or debate that opinion, I’d like to add another thought. It’s taken from the Bible.
The Chronicler declares: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
My brothers and sisters ... the text tells us that “THE KEY TO SURVIVAL IS REVIVAL”.
We need a revival in our land! If ever there was a time we need a revival, it’s now! We need to petition God like never before and ask the same question David asks him in Psalm 85, at verse 6: “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in You?”
There is so much going on in our world. From the coronavirus, to crime, to disasters, to signs in the heavens, to racism, to political chaos, we need God to revive and heal our land!
And While God can certainly use these situations to position us for revival, the key is the response of God’s people.
As a matter of fact, in 2nd Chronicles 7:14, God gave the Israelites a pattern for revival in overwhelming circumstances and I believe His instructions can still lead to revival today, but four (4) things need to happen. I want to share those four things with you. I hope you have a pen and paper ready.
First, there has to be a realization that we’re incapable of solving the problem on our own.
People tend to come to the end of themselves when faced with enormous difficulty. That fits a pattern throughout history and certainly fits the pattern in God’s Word.
The devastating circumstances God mentions in 2 Chronicles 7 are listed in verse 13. Look at that, if you will.
God speaks to Israel and says: “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people ...”
My God!! ... that sounds like the daily news doesn’t it? All of those things are happening someplace on this planet all the time these days.
But I want you to know that — today ... God’s people still have to recognize that only He has the power to heal and deliver.
Point #1: There has to be a realization that we’re incapable of solving the problem on our own.
Secondly ... We also need to realize what’s most important.
Crisis has a way of refocusing our attention. During this time of quarantine, many people are rediscovering simple joys and reassessing their priorities.
You see, our greatest need is not getting back to a normal American lifestyle, but getting back to lives that glorify God!
Let me say that’s again: our greatest need is not getting back to a normal American lifestyle, but getting back to lives that glorify God!
We do this by focusing on Jesus, obeying the Holy Spirit, and walking by faith – daily.
The pressing need is not even getting back to church as usual. Do you realize where the American Church was prior to this pandemic? It was very busy, but not very fruitful.
We’re much like the church at Ephesus, who hated evil and were busy in ministry but had left their first love (That's in Revelation 2:1-7, if you want to read it later).
WATCH THIS: It wasn’t that they didn’t love Jesus at all but that they didn’t love Him supremely.
I believe revival will come when believers love Jesus above all else.
#1: There has to be a realization that we’re incapable of solving the problem on our own.
#2: We need to realize what’s most important.
#3: Christians need to humble themselves before God.
Again, the lesson text says: “If … my people who are called by My name humble themselves …”
KNOW THIS: Biblical humility is willingly submitting to the authority of Christ and conforming to the nature of Christ.
It leads us to say, “Lord, we recognize our limitations and willingly submit to You to do what needs to be done.”
Our attitude should be the same as Jesus – to glorify the Father and to serve His purposes. Revival requires humility. So, what does that look like in our current crises?
Well, buying more than we need and hoarding is not humility. Nor is ignoring the safety of others. For right now, online church activities benefit the welfare of each local church and the communities in which we live.
How can we ignite revival and share the love of Christ if we’ve not shown concern for their safety and well-being? Conforming to the nature of Christ means giving up our rights because we desire what’s best for others.
We should be considering, right now, how to render a better praise to Almighty God.
Part of our humility is recognizing how great God is and worshipping Him. Scripture informs us that Solomon, who wrote this book, built an extravagant temple. They offered incredible sacrifices of their material possessions to do obeisance to God. 22,000 head of cattle, 120,000 sheep / goats.
HERE’S WHERE I’M GOING WITH THIS: It cost them something.
What are you willing to spend to honor God above yourself? Would you give up a half a day a week? Give up $? Time? Serve with no expectation of return?
And then ... CHECK THIS OUT ... they fell prostrate before God. We don’t like to get off the sidewalk for people. It takes humility to make a gesture that says YOU are so much more important than I am.
Christians need to humble themselves before God.
Finally, point #4: There will be a strong desire for the presence of God.
God also said that His people should “pray and seek My face.” That means desiring God’s presence more than His provision.
It’s what Moses expressed when he said, in Exodus 33:15 — “If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here”
Moses didn’t want God’s promises without God’s presence.
Wow! I need to say that again — Moses didn’t want God’s promises without God’s presence.
The history of the great awakenings also reveal an awe and reverence for the presence of God. At times His presence was so evident that there was no preaching; people just fell on their faces in worship.
The question is—-do we recognize the presence of God as our greatest blessing? Are we seeking His face in prayer before asking for the healing work of His hands?
Solomon oversaw the building of a new temple, and dedicated it with many sacrifices, then ... he spent time in prayer to God.
In verse 14, in answer to Solomon’s sincere and fervent prayer that God pay attention to the needs of the people and give them His blessing, God, identifies what He is looking for if people are to receive His favorable attention and help.
LET ME SAY THIS ABOUT PRAYER:
What exactly does it mean to “pray”? It doesn’t mean to “place your order” and expect results like you do at a fast food joint.
God invites us to come to Him and politely, respectfully, in humility, solicit His help. Don’t demand things like some televangelists tell you to do. Nothing humble about that.
Jesus actually taught His disciples how to pray. They were raised as religious people and still asked Jesus to teach them to pray.
How did you learn to pray? From minister? From Mom? Are you just guessing? You learned how to write a “friendly” letter in school, maybe a request to God is at least as important as a “friendly letter”. Anything sincere, offered in humility will probably do, but maybe we should spend a little time practicing, looking at what Jesus taught.
As I conclude ... turn to Luke 11:1-4. Notice the respect, humility and repentance of Jesus’ teaching in Luke 11:1-4:
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us n— and lead us not into temptation.”
The scriptures are full of prayers we can learn from. Check out several in Ephesians, Psalms. Adding to the humility and actually beseeching God for His blessing, the passage also teaches we are to Seek God’s Face.
This is the opposite of what many folks actually do. It seems to be more common for folks to basically ignore God until they really need Him.
Or, rather than seek his face, people actually do things that are offensive or degrading to God, then wonder why God doesn’t seem to be around when they want something.
Would you hang around to help someone who constantly insulted you when you deserved honor?
Seeking His face is going out of your way to see Him, spend time in His Presence. To “seek” is to try to get the privilege of an audience.
How do you get an audience with the President of the U.S.? You can’t just walk in. You can’t generally even see a bank president without some preparation and appointment. Usually have to go through his secretary first. Then you probably dress up some first.
This will involve some intentional time and effort and preparation. Spend intentional time to get into God’s Presence.
MY BELOVED ... God is not about to help those who are arrogant and independent or rebellious toward Him. He’s not about to help those who ignore Him and His desires and instructions.
A first requirement for God’s help is for people to Humble Themselves; decide to willingly submit to God’s will and leading. The people recognized how much they needed God’s help. Solomon recognized his need for help in leading – His first prayer was for wisdom to lead.
Ladies and gentlemen ... realize your own need.
In case you forgot, let me remind you that you can’t even breath without God supplying oxygen. You can’t even water your garden without God supplying water.
I realize that I don’t deserve any blessings.
We tend to live and act like it’s normal and right for God to serve us. That He exists to provide for our wants and needs.
We tend to think we deserve things because we have always had them, or because others have them; just a house and car, like everyone else, just three meals a day and regular snacks. And a large screen TV. And nice jeans ... you don’t really deserve these, they’re gifts, blessings from God. We should constantly render thanks for them! They’re all blessings, not rights!
What I “deserve” is to be abandoned because of my sin – the way I have lived in regard to all God has already done for me. I deserve to be beaten, defeated, humbled.
Listen ... I absolutely want people to be healed of this virus! But physical healing can bring an immediate fix while compromising an eternal need.
Let me illustrate it this way: a drunk can find sobriety without ever meeting the Savior. He may live a sober and successful life, yet spend eternity separated from God.
Revival comes by realizing that our greatest needs are spiritual, not physical. Seeking the presence of God focuses our attention on the Provider more than His provision.
Believers need to have an acute awareness of personal sin.
The American Church talks a great deal about evangelistic strategy and church growth, but very little about our need for repentance.
Remember, the Lord was talking to His people when He said, “... and turn from their wicked ways.”
Although we tend to think of revival as the lost coming to Christ, it’s actually the reawakening; the making alive again of God’s people through confession and repentance.
The word “Revive” comes from the from Latin word revivere > "to live again". It’s two words: from re- "again" + vivere "to live".
And so, REVIVAL MEANS: MAKING NEW AGAIN.
I submit, ladies and gentlemen that “THE KEY TO SURVIVAL IS REVIVAL”. The text says ... when this happens we will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
In God’s pattern there is an eternal work before there is an immediate work because spiritual healing is the greater need.
So, will coronavirus bring revival? Hmmm. Good question.
Whether or not we experience widespread revival depends on our response to God.
I sense an eagerness from believers to stay connected with one another, which is a good thing. But what if we really took this waiting period to get right with God personally?
What if we stop waiting out the virus and start humbly seeking God’s presence, repenting from sin we’ve allowed to linger?
If God’s people emerge like that, then I can see revival being released on our nation. I pray it happens.
CLOSE:
And so, in conclusion tonight — KNOW THIS: Overwhelming circumstances should bring certain realizations.
We’re living in a time when our circumstances are overwhelming. You don’t know who’s giving the right advice and who’s giving the wrong advice. But one thing we can all agree on is the fact that our land needs healing.
