Josiah was eight years old when he became King. In the eighth year of his reign, he began to seek the God of his father David. In the eighteen year of his reign, he found the book of the law during the renovation of temple. After seeking God for 10 years, God in His mercy, let him find the physical book of the law (Deuteronomy). This book revealed the nation’s sinful condition and presented a cure for healing the nation.
When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. 2 Chronicles 34:19
Josiah tore his clothes. The king’s servant Asaiah, the court secretary Shaphan, and the priest Hilkiah did not tear their clothes. On hearing the words of the law, even Hilkiah the priest did not respond to these words, but Josiah responded to these words. God was working more on the heart of the king than the priest.
Those who seek God are more responsive and receptive to God’s word. Josiah after seeking God for 10 years, and when the truth was revealed, he tore his clothing. Seeking God made Josiah’s heart become tender and soft. With regular repentance, seeking God might have broken the hardness of heart produced by sins.
God spoke through the prophetess Huldah about Josiah, saying, “I Myself have heard” (2 Chronicles 34:27). It’s like God is saying to Himself about Josiah. God appears to be speaking to Himself regarding Josiah.
The actions and prayer of Josiah when they found the book of the law went to God immediately. God had a specific message for the people of Israel and for Josiah. To a person whose heart is tender, God has specific words for him and can even postpone God’s judgement (for the land). Josiah’s tender heart got God’s attention. God was drawn to Josiah’s tender-heartedness, delaying God’s judgment. The punishment for a nation’s wickedness was put off for a few generations, until the passing of a tender-hearted person. A tender-hearted person has an impact on the land or nation. His life, deeds and prayer can get quick answers to prayers and protects or shields from God’s wrath and judgement.
A tender heart responds very quickly to God’s word, correction, and truth. When sin is revealed by God’s word, a tender-hearted person immediately repents and prays. A tender heart is quickly able to identify or recognize God’s ways and is very sensitive to sin. Tender heart is touch sensitive to sins.
God was making Josiah’s heart tender for 10 years. Seeking God made Josiah’s heart tender. The tender heart always searches truth from God’s word.
When they discovered the book of the law, it was revival. The truth from the scriptures is given to the people.
When people read from the book of law, they realized how their wicked sinful lives were displeasing God. This brought about a revival which restored the relationship with God and knowledge of God’s ways. What a privilege that the book of the law, which had been lost since Solomon’s time, was discovered during Josiah’s reign. God rewards a seeker with an understanding of the true state of his heart and the rich or hidden manna of God’s word. God revealed to Josiah that his heart was tender. During each revival, God reveals the hidden or original meaning of the scripture as God interprets it, as well as a unique revelation of His Character. By revealing God’s ways and truth, a revival raises the Goldy standard of the land. The Scriptures come to life and become real in a revival.
Each revival makes a specific scripture real in a physical sense and provides a unique revelation of God’s nature and character in the life of a revivalist. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones said that, “in private conversation, as well as in his preaching, Duncan Campbell’s emphasis was always on the Lordship and the power of the Holy Spirit“.
The Azusa Street Revival brought back the Pentecostal experience of speaking in tongues.
The Wales Revival brought back the importance, relevance, and necessity of the Holy Spirit in our life. This revival emphasized quick obedience to the third person of the Trinity (The Holy Spirit).
The Hebrides revival fulfilled the verse, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence. Isaiah 64:1-3 and Joel 2:28
Revival in Cornwall 1850 – the parson had been converted, and that in his own pulpit, and by his own sermon. Change of the parson’s (preacher) heart brought a revival.
Daniel Rowlands revival – brought the importance of God’s coming judgement and eternal love.
Moravian revival emphasized the significance of the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the Cross. The theme was “May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering“.
Recently did any scriptures become real in a physical sense in your life? Ask God to make scriptures real in a physical sense so that you might get a glimpse of revival.
Is God calling you to pray for a revival? Is there a strong desire to seek God to receive a fresh revelation about Jesus? A revivalist must receive a fresh revelation of Jesus from the scriptures for God to use in revival.
A desire for revival starts from a desire to seek God. In the process of seeking God, God makes you tender by breaking the hardness of your hearts produced by sins. The more tender you are, the more God can use you.
Is your heart becoming tender as you seek God? Is God working on your life? Only those people whose hearts are made tender by God are used by God for revival.
A tender-hearted person can even postpone God’s judgement. Plead with God to make you a tender-hearted person?
In this land, there is a need of people like King Josiah who can bring the truth from scriptures and postpone God’s judgement.
