He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.’” (2 Chronicles 20:15, NIV)
Merriam-Webster defines the word revival as “a period of renewed religious interest.”
Has there ever been a more boring definition for something so spectacularly powerful?
When I was a freshman in college, a friend on the men’s golf team gave me the Hillsong worship CD, “Touching Heaven, Changing Earth.”
Here’s the chorus from the album’s title track:
Lifting up the name of the Lord
In power and in unity
We will see the nations turn
Touching heaven changing earth
Touching heaven changing earth
Send revival (send revival)
Send revival (send revival)
Send revival to us
I can remember belting out that song in my dorm room, only beginning to understand the true meaning of revival.
Today it’s my answer to every hard question someone asks about the state of our country and the world. What about…? Revival. But how will we…? Revival.
When the people of Judah were in the throes of danger, King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast for the nation. The Bible says that people came from every town in Judah to seek God’s intervention. They stood before the Lord and cried out for help, seeking his favor and almighty power.
And how did the Lord reply? Through the prophet Jahaziel, he told them, “Do not be afraid… For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” The king responded with worship.
Jehoshaphat and his people received their miracle thanks to earnest fasting, prayer, and praise.
Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.…
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:
“Give thanks to the LORD,
for his love endures forever.” (2 Chronicles 20:18-19, 21)
Jehoshaphat led the people in a great revival. They praised the Lord, stood their ground and watched as God fought their battle, setting ambushes and delivering more spoils than their arms could carry: “There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it” (v. 25).
What area in your life could use revival? Your church? Golf club? Workplace? Home? Jehoshaphat and his people received their miracle thanks to earnest fasting, prayer, and praise. Send revival to us, oh Lord!
The fear of God came on all the surrounding kingdoms when they heard how the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side. (vv. 29-30)
—
Beth Ann Nichols
May 17, 2021
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.