Revivals for Elijah and Two Women

What can we learn from God's concern for the prophet Elijah and two women?

1) Elijah’s Revival

Persecuted pastors can take comfort in Elijah who suffered much for faithfully preaching the truth.

Elijah went to meet Ahab who had tried to have him killed. Confronted, Ahab tried to accuse Elijah, but Elijah replied, “you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead.” (1 Kings 18:18 NLT) Ba’al (I prefer the Hebrew pronunciation bah’AHL) had 450 prophets, and Elijah felt quite alone. Worshippers of Ba’al, made a loud, frenzied show but nothing happened. With God on his side, Elijah uttered a simple prayer, after preparing and dousing an altar with water, then fire from heaven came down. Revival is not always a loud, frenzied exhibition like the show put on by the false prophets of Ba’al, but in changed hearts.

Elijah was then threatened by Jezebel, Ahab’s evil wife. Was it the end when Elijah prayed, “I have had enough, Lord” (1 Kings 19:4 NIV)? Depressed, an angel fed him and he retreated to a cave. But, that was not the end of his ministry. God spoke to him in “a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12 NIV) and encouraged him that 7,000 others had not bowed to Ba’al in Israel. Revived, Elijah got back to work. His ministry was joined by a humble, teachable servant in his successor, Elisha. Faith in God who grants victory eventually wins (1 Kings 18).

Rejoice, lovers of God, true revival has little to do with a loud show, but everything to do with getting rid of false prophets, and listening to the quiet whisper of the one true God.

2) A Widow’s Revival

Sometimes revival is individual and not city-wide or even national, as we see with a widow’s revival.

Elisha’s faith for revival of a widow's livelihood is remarkable. Revival is sometimes the supply of material provision so that we can live on. For a widow in debt, the death of her husband can signal financial ruin. A foretaste of Jesus feeding the 5,000 is seen in the multiplication of the widow’s olive oil, which she sold to pay off her debts. Widow saved, God be praised, another revival is accomplished (2 Kings 4).

Rejoice, lovers of God, have faith in His revival of lives even buried in debt.

3) Revival of a Shunammite’s Son

Does God care for reviving the hopes of a childless woman?

Revival of a Shunammite woman’s hopes came when Elisha prophesied that she would have a son. Simply devastating, the boy later died. Means of healing the boy by Gehazi using Elisha’s staff did not work. Life came back to the boy when Elisha covered the boy and prayed. Again, a physical revival of a young life was accompanied by a revival in faith and of the hopes of a family’s hearts (2 Kings 4).

Rejoice, lovers of God, have faith in the One who can revive our hopes and dreams even when all seems lost.

God cares for his faithful preachers and ordinary women. Let's never give up hope, but trust God.

Samson, Ruth and Samuel's Revivals

What can we learn from the revivals that occurred under three very different individuals, Samson's deathbed revival, Ruth's conversion to Israel's God and Samuel's strong preaching?

1) Samson’s Revival

Samson was another of God’s very imperfect leaders, yet his deathbed repentance brought revival.

Samson’s mother was told by an angel, “He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.” (Judges 13-16 NLT) Growing up, “the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him” and God can do the same with any young person today. Years of bad decisions plagued him. Were there too many bad judgments for God to use him? Shameful living did not prevent God’s purpose, and so, “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him” (Judges 20:19 NIV). But, Samson’s suffering could have been avoided. Salvation for Israel from the Philistines was God’s purpose. Attained at last, freedom for Israel came, but what a tragic end was the unnecessary death of our hero.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that though our sins may be many, repentance and revival can still be ours, even at the very end of our lives.

2) Ruth’s Revival

Can spiritual revival in a gentile woman from a forbidden background be an inspiration to a nation?

Ruth’s family revival was being prepared the moment she said these words to her mother in law, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 NIV) Revival did not come immediately, but the die was cast. Was a foreigner going to be accepted in Israel? At word of her diligence and devotion to her widowed mother in law, Ruth gained favor. The fact that she lay at Boaz’s feet and not his side, indicates that this was innocent, and judging by Boaz’s later response this was probably her proposal of marriage. Hand it to her to not allow a generation gap to get in the way; Boaz had called her “my daughter” (Ruth 2:8 NKJV), indicating a great difference in age. Of all the ways for a woman to propose marriage, this was probably very awkward, but it worked. Boaz arranged the marriage, Ruth and her mother in law were saved from lives of lonely poverty, and Ruth became King David’s great grandmother.

Rejoice, lovers of God, because the Lord can bring revival to you and your family in many ways.

3) Samuel’s Revival

The story of Samuel begs the question, What kind of preaching does our church prefer, empty-headed fluff, or strong biblical messages?

How did it happen that, “all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord” (1 Samuel 7:2 NIV)? Samuel’s advice was, “Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3 NLT) Preaching repentance is what John the Baptist and Jesus did, but some congregations can’t stand any strong preaching and will demand, “say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” (Isaiah 30:10 KJV) Revived, Israel confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” (1 Samuel 7:6 NKJV) A prayer meeting actually had a large attendance? Nation building does not begin with the perfect political or economic system, but with a heart for God, and because of their repentance, God subdued Israel’s enemies and gave them peace.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that there are churches that want to hear God’s word without dilution and will repent, preparing the way for revival.

Revival can come through a death bed repentance, the conversion and faithfulness of a pagan woman and strong, faithful biblical preaching.

Where Does Revival Begin?

Prelude

Where does revival begin? Purpose: Let’s understand that revival begins on the inside. Plan: Let’s discuss revival in Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23.

Traditions without Heart (Mark 7:1-4)

Mark 7:1 One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus. 2 They noticed that some of his disciples failed to follow the Jewish ritual of hand washing before eating. 3 (The Jews, especially the Pharisees, do not eat until they have poured water over their cupped hands, as required by their ancient traditions. 4 Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)

The Pharisees added traditions to the law, a second Talmud, like some churches add tradition to scripture and give them equal stature. Old Testament ritual washings, meant for the priests only, were applied to everyone, requiring a ritual hand washing before a meal. The word baptize originally just meant to wash or cleanse. Man-made cleansing traditions made a bigger deal of outward ceremonies than the inner heart.

A Façade of Piety (Mark 7:5-8)

Mark 7:5 So the Pharisees and teachers of religious law asked him, “Why don’t your disciples follow our age-old tradition? They eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony.” 6 Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ 8 For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.”

Jesus did not criticize religion, but hypocrisy. This is not an excuse for dirty hands. It was a ritual tradition that ignored love. It was a façade of piety that hid evil hearts. Tradition is not sin, but substituting tradition for love, is hypocrisy.

Misuse of Tradition (Mark 7:14-15)

[Mark 7:9 Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition . 10 For instance, Moses gave you this law from God: ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father or mother must be put to death.’ 11 But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ 12 In this way, you let them disregard their needy parents. 13 And so you cancel the word of God in order to hand down your own tradition. And this is only one example among many others.”]

Mark 7:14 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “All of you listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 15 It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart.”

Any tradition is an idol when placed before God or cancels the word of God. Have we allowed our traditions, confessions, or basis of union to sidestep God’s word?

Tradition without Heart (Mark 7:21-23)

[Mark 7:17 Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. 18 “Don’t you understand either?” he asked. “Can’t you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? 19 Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.) 20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you.]

Mark 7:21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness . 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

In Acts 10 God commanded Peter to eat unclean foods. Uncleanness comes not from food but our hearts. Basic Christian rituals are few, such as baptism and communion, because matters of the heart are most important. Rituals picture what should be happening inside our hearts.

Jesus challenged religious traditions because His priority in revival is the inner person. Do we focus on outward forms of worship, but like the Pharisees, forget the heart? Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to revive the inside and the outside will take care of itself.

The Church has always been imperfect, but it also has the Gospel, the solution to all human problems. Our real problem is not that the Church occasionally gets things wrong, but that we forget the human heart is the real work of the Church, and we need the power of Jesus Christ to change our human hearts.

Cain’s offering was half-hearted, while his brother’s was whole-hearted. True circumcision is in our hearts not our flesh. David was a man after God’s own heart. Hezekiah sought God with his whole heart. Jehoshaphat’s heart took delight in the ways of the Lord.

Postlude 

True revival does not come with outward phenomena alone. But, it begins with a change in our hearts, a change away from sin and a turning to God.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Jotham, Tolah and Jephthah's Revivals

Let's look at three stories of revival, a man who shouted God's word and ran, an obscure man from the hills, and a bandit turned to God.

1) Jotham

Can Jotham’s story help us understand how revival returned in just one generation?

Abimelech was Gideon’s son by a slave woman from Shechem. In pure lust for power, he murdered all his half brothers except Jotham, who had enough courage to loudly pronounce an inspired curse. A parable which he shouted from Mount Gerizim foretold Abimelech's demise, before Jotham quickly ran and escaped. Prophecy was fulfilled when a woman crushed Abimelech’s skull. (Judges 9)

Jotham “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 27:2 NIV). Obedient, he “grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.” (vs. 6) Listening to contemporary prophets like Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, and Micah helped Jotham immensely. Preparing towns and forts and a life dedicated to God are his legacy. A life of humility and faithfulness to God is to be commended. Blessing and honor follow such a life, and he was buried with dignity in the royal tombs.

Rejoice, lovers of God, sometimes revival comes after you shout God’s word and run for your life.

2) Tolah

Can revival come through a virtually obscure person from the hills?

Tolah’s leadership accompanied the next revival in Israel, “After Abimelech died, Tola son of Puah, son of Dodo, was the next person to rescue Israel. He was from the tribe of Issachar but lived in the town of Shamir in the hill country of Ephraim. He judged Israel for twenty-three years. When he died, he was buried in Shamir.” (Judges 10:1-2 NLT) Revival is rightly called a rescue or “to save” (NIV, ESV, NASB), and for us, the ultimate rescue is from spiritual death to eternal life.

Rejoice, lovers of God, because the salvation of your soul is life’s greatest revival.

3) Jephthah

Pedigree is important to some, but not to God, as we will see how He used a known criminal born to a prostitute to bring about revival.

Jephthah was an instrument of salvation for Israel, even though he came from an unpopular background, the bandit son of a harlot. Vowing to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house, if God gave him victory was a stupid mistake. Foolish decisions or an unpopular background do not stop God from using anyone He chooses in rescuing His people (Judges 11-12). Decisions that he made, even after “the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jephthah,” were far from perfect, as we witness so often in church life.

Rejoice, lovers of God, because He can even use you, despite all your imperfections, to bring about revival.

Revivals under Deborah and Gideon

What can we learn from a revival led by a woman of strong faith? How did Gideon’s leadership reveal that it is God who gives the victory?

Deborah is the main character in this revival, simply because Barak would not engage the enemy without her. The story starts off with a familiar theme: Israel did evil, again. Prophetess is the more accurate translation, over our modern preference for the gender neutral term prophet, because it is a feminine word in Hebrew. Predicting a victory, at God’s command, she engaged Barak to lead her army. Triumph and 40 years of peace were secured (Judges 4-5).

We should neither overestimate the role of Deborah, nor underestimate it based upon liberal or legalistic prejudices. Should we see this as prescriptive or descriptive as with so many other biblical texts? Respect and love are important, no matter which side of the issue of women in church leadership we fall. Each of us has value to God and there is no excuse for oppression of women. Other more important issues must take priority rather than taking to the extremes of liberalism and legalism.

The rhythm of sin and punishment, repentance and revival returns again. Cycle through any revival and the pattern is clear. Repeating the same sad story has not really changed in modern times. Over the same issues, human problems keep recurring. And humanity’s basic problems have not really changed. Over and over, again and again, we choose unfaithfulness to God and create our own woes. Is there a reason? Mind-blowing ignorance of the consequences of sin has time and again brought civilizations to their knees.

Israel sinned again and so suffered ongoing harassment from a neighboring tribe. Again, they cried out to the Lord for help, so God reminded them of their disobedience. Mercifully, God told Gideon that he would free Israel from these plunderers. Helped by God, Gideon received several signs and someone’s dream encouraged him. To win was a great victory, by causing the enemy Midianites to flee in fear was miraculous, and there was peace in Israel for 40 years (Judges 6-8). Victory soon faded after Gideon died, as Israel returned to their idolatrous ways.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that revival involves victory over oppression, and can come via a woman of strong faith who encourages a weaker man in the battle. Rejoice, for the mercy of the Lord, who willingly answers our prayers, repeatedly reviving us from spiritual death at our own hands.

Othniel, Ehud and Shamgar's Revivals

Does revival come in cycles of sin and repentance?

Othniel was Caleb’s younger brother, and the first of Israel’s judges. The history of the judges describes a cycle of apostasy, punishment and revival. Judge Othniel reveals a familiar story, “...the children of Israel did evil … the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel … the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer...” (Judges 3:7-11 NKJV)

Have our people sinned against God? We may also have the “Spirit of the Lord,” come from a family loyal to God’s servants, and our calling may be as a chieftain who will fight to deliver our people from slavery to sin. The land may have “rest for forty years” because we faithfully prevailed over the enemies of God’s people. Courage is still a requirement.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that God still has heroes of the faith who will rise up and bring revival.

As the cycle of sin, repentance and revival continues under Ehud, what can we learn?

Again Israel “did evil” and they suffered eighteen years of subjugation to Moab as punishment. A cry went out to the Lord for deliverance. Delivery at the hands of Ehud was accomplished by his assassination of Moab’s king. And Ehud blew the battle trumpet for war, finally claiming victory over Israel’s oppressors. Peace reigned for another 80 years (Judges 3:12-30).

Rejoice, lovers of God, that when people cry out to God in repentance, He hears.

Did God again raise up a hero in Shamgar to bring revival?

Shamgar’s revival is only briefly mentioned in Judges 3:31, “After him [Ehud] was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.” (NKJV) Revival came once more at the hands of another hero.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that deliverance is part of a revival.

Joshua's Revival

 Can a man sometimes only be ready to lead a revival in his old age, after a lifetime of faithful service?

If God’s kingdom were a democracy, ten of twelve spies would have voted not to enter the promised land. Only Joshua and Caleb from that whole generation gave a testimony of faith and would be allowed in (Numbers 14:29-31). We too often believe falsely that God’s opinion is found in what’s popular. Would the majority opinion in any group, with a ratio of two out of twelve being faithful witnesses, ever be properly qualified to express God’s will? Believe the Bible and the answer is most times, no. God often has a faithful remnant, but rarely a majority vote.

That being said, there is a place for democracy in biblical accounts. Jesus chose the twelve apostles. Is there an account of anyone voting for them? In the Exodus the people voted to go against God by building a golden calf. Authority in worship is not decided by popularity. Is democracy a biblical concept? Not usually! A time for the people’s choice is, however, quite biblical when choosing deacons (Acts 6:3) or choosing those with a reputation to honestly handle money issues (1 Corinthians 16:3). Question any idea however, that doctrinal issues can be decided by majority vote, whereby most are not properly qualified to discern truth from error.

Beginning ministry as a humble servant, we see Joshua’s attitude as, “Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, Joshua son of Nun, would remain behind in the Tent of Meeting.” (Exodus 33:11 NLT) With the heart of a servant, he was the opposite of those who grumbled against Moses. Service and a teachable attitude are signs that revival has begun in someone’s heart. Joshua was “a man in whom is the spirit” (Numbers 27:18 KJV) and who “followed the Lord wholeheartedly” (Numbers 32:12 NIV). Tested through a long history of loyalty and service, Joshua would complete the revival begun under Moses. True servants have no hidden agendas, but just want to worship God and help.

It took Joshua a lifetime to be ready for office. May we always respect those with years of experience. Take our generation that shows such disrespect of the elderly, as frequently ignorant. A person in their old age may just be entering readiness for certain tasks. Lifetime experiences are valuable. To the world, Joshua probably should be retiring, but that is a foolish waste of wisdom. Be attentive to the elderly, because their experience is valuable. Ready to hear the elderly and less reliant on youthful advice would go a long way to making wiser decisions.

Rejoice, lovers of God, be strong and very courageous, complete the task so that others too may be revived like you (Joshua 1:7).

Moses' Revival

How did a spoiled rich kid, raised in a royal palace, decide to choose the people of God over high position and worldly riches? Let's look at how God used Moses to provide revival to an enslaved people.

From the burning bush to being refused entry into the land of promise, Moses led one of the greatest national revivals in history. Israel’s freedom from slavery involved a massive miraculous and logistical undertaking. Exodus is about a mass emigration of Egypt’s slave labor and God’s provision. To accomplish the task required God miraculously feeding millions of people in the desert for a generation. The revival actually took two generations to accomplish, because the first generation lacked faith to enter the land of promise, so they missed out. Conquest of the land came a generation later. Revival began as, “By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.” (Hebrews 11:24-26) Launched in one humble heart, is often where revival begins, “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).

“Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream. Not so with My servant Moses; He is faithful in all My house. I speak with him face to face, Even plainly, and not in dark sayings; And he sees the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid To speak against My servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:6-8)

A nation of slaves was given new life and land. Nation is like a big family. Of this nation of Israel, God had plans to use them to bless the whole world. Slaves have no freedom to worship as they please, so step one was to lead them to freedom. Was the nation going to be grateful or just complain. Given freedom, that first generation still did not show their gratitude, but went back to worship a golden calf. New life does not always guarantee gratitude, so that first free generation lost their rights to a new land except for two families. Life came to the next generation as they began to inhabit the land, and take it from a perverted people group that sacrificed its children to idols. And God even forbad Moses entry into the land, because he had sunk into arrogance. Land and freedom to worship God is a picture of our rest in an eternal land of promise.

Rejoice, lovers of God, do not be discouraged by grumblers because the revival in your heart can bless many people, but beware lest revival cause us to become arrogant.

Jacob's Family Revival

How did revival come to a third generation of believers and what can we learn from it?

Jacob’s family had wandered far from God’s ideal, yet God had not given up on them. Family troubles are a common theme, but they are made worse by multiple wives and the competition between them and their children. Revival in this family begins by moving away, even several times, from bad influences and putting away foreign gods among family members (Genesis 35).

Leaving the geographical area is often necessary before a new lifestyle can begin. Is something holding us back? The answer may be a new neighborhood. Beginning a new life is often easier when we leave the old gang behind. Of all the things that hold us back, family and old friends can be toxic. A move can breathe new life into us. New neighborhoods and new places of worship can provide the needed break from old bad habits. Life can begin anew.

Getting rid of pagan idols, some of which Rachel had stolen (Genesis 31:19), was another important step. Rid ourselves of modern idols, like greed, materialism, immoral entertainment, vain traditions, and anything else that gets in the way between us and God. Of all the idols a modern world has invented, which ones rule our lives? Idols don’t have to be made of wood or gold, because even worship of our own intellect is idolatry. Is nationalism idolatry? A Christian who believes that love of neighbor stops at the border, has made their nation an idol. First, we must learn that our neighbor means the whole world (John 3:16). Step one for national healing is not found in human politics, but for people to “humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT)

Jacob’s family revival involved two major decisions. Family relocation was an important step to provide a new environment including a new altar for family worship. Revival for our families may also include these two ingredients, 1) relocation, which may also include attending a new place of worship, and 2) eliminating family idols which clutter our lives and suck time away from worship of the only true God.

Rejoice, lovers of God, you can be revived even in the midst of a messed up family life.

Prayer for Hard Times

What kind of prayer is appropriate in hard times? Let’s see how prayer includes trust in God’s answer, especially during hard times, in Matthew 21:12-22 and Habakkuk 3.

House of Prayer

Matthew 21:12-13 “And Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those who were selling and buying on the temple grounds, and He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’; but you are making it a robbers’ den.”

Jesus’ anger was justified because a house dedicated to God, His house was being used for commercialism. Prayer is one of the most important purposes for our church buildings.

 
Believing Prayer

Matthew 21:21-22 “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

What if we pray and God says, No? Can we learn something from Habakkuk’s prayer? Habakkuk the prophet was possibly a temple musician, a Levite. Tradition records that he was the Shunamite woman's son, whose life Elisha saved. He wrote in the 7th century BC, just before the Babylonian captivity.

Habakkuk’s Prayer

Habakkuk expresses his doubt to God about His plans to punish Judah via an unjust Babylon. God reminded Habakkuk that He will punish evil, and Habakkuk learns to faithfully trust God’s decision. Habakkuk 2:4 “the righteous will live by his faith” is quoted several times in the New Testament.

Habakkuk 3:1 “A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.”

This is the plural of Shiggaion, only used in one other place, Psalm 7. This possibly implies a wildly passionate prayer, which certainly describes the chapter. This indicates the prayer, like the Psalms, was probably set to music.

Habakkuk 3:2 “Lord, I have heard the report about You and I fear. O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years, In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy.”

Rebellious people create a passive, cuddly God they don’t have to fear.

Habakkuk 3:3 “God comes from Teman, And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah. His splendor covers the heavens, And the earth is full of His praise.”

God was present with them at Sinai, and the creation provides evidence of His existence, figuratively proclaiming His praise every single day.

Habakkuk 3:4 “His radiance is like the sunlight; He has rays flashing from His hand, And there is the hiding of His power.”

To those with insight, the brilliant light and radiance of the sun reveals a hidden secret, the incredible power that created everything in the entire universe.

Habakkuk 3:5 “Before Him goes pestilence, And plague comes after Him.”

God did reveal Himself in this way to Israel’s enemies after the Exodus, including the armies of Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35). When necessary, God comes to avenge and judge. As Creator of everything, He has that right.

Habakkuk 3:6 “He stood and surveyed the earth; He looked and startled the nations. Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered, The ancient hills collapsed. His ways are everlasting.”

The mountains and hills may seem permanent, but when God intervenes, a vain and arrogant humanity sees who really is everlasting.

Habakkuk 3:7 “I saw the tents of Cushan under distress, The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.”

This imagery is probably from the Exodus. Cushan may be Cush, Ethiopia. Midian was to the east. At the Exodus, surrounding nations took notice and trembled at God’s deeds.

Habakkuk 3:8 “Did the Lord rage against the rivers, Or was Your anger against the rivers, Or was Your wrath against the sea, That You rode on Your horses, On Your chariots of salvation?”

God wasn’t angry with sea and horses, but revealed His power over creation, freeing Israel.

In Habakkuk 3:9-17 we are reminded of God’s power over the earth, mountains, sun, moon, nations, armies, trees, fruit, fields, and flocks. In this context, verses 16-17, is a lament about prophecies in Habakkuk 1-2 of a future foreign invasion of a rebellious Judah and captivity by Babylon.

Rejoice in God

Habakkuk 3:18 “Yet I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”

Despite the prophesied Babylonian invasion of Judah, Habakkuk hopes in God because of His track record of saving Israel from Egyptian slavery. Perhaps he even has faith in a second Exodus.

The Lord God is My Strength

Habakkuk 3:19 “The Lord God is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, And makes me walk on my high places.”

Though Babylon takes us prisoner, or life takes us through calamity, God helps us be as surefooted as deer and walk on high places.

Postlude

Jesus reminds us of the importance and power of prayer. Habakkuk teaches us that God will save us even from punishment. Habakkuk also teaches us that singing songs of faith is itself an act of faith.

New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Isaac's Revival

What was Isaac’s attitude towards his father Abraham, who had planned to obey God’s command to sacrifice his son?

A generational revival continued in Isaac. A son of promise, Isaac was born and circumcised. Generational revival often brings new tests of faith. Revival that lasted another generation involved belief in God’s promise that, “He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.” (Hebrews 11:19 ESV). Continued faithfulness in successive generations is not common, but Isaac maintained the faith of his father Abraham. In seeking a bride, he honored his father’s wishes (Genesis 24) and Rebekah became his wife. Isaac and Ishmael buried Abraham beside Sarah and descendants of Isaac and Ishmael still attend his grave to this day, side-by-side in Hebron.

Isaac prayed to the God of Abraham, “Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived.” (Genesis 25:21 NKJV) Was there going to be another generation? Faithful to His promises, God answered Isaac’s request.

One ancient source quotes Isaac asking his father to tie him up tight, lest he move in fright causing his father to cut a bone, and thus making an imperfect sacrifice. Son of a man of faith, Isaac too grew up to be a man of faith, making peace with enemy herdsmen of Gerar (Genesis 26:29-22). Obedient, like Jesus on the cross, Isaac’s life was joyfully revived when God told his father not to go through with it. To trust his father as Isaac did reveals an incredible bond. His greatest trial proved Abraham’s obedience, just as the trials of life test us and our faithfulness. Father and faithful son will be seen in the kingdom of God (Luke 13:28).

Rejoice, lovers of God, Isaac passed the test, and we will see him in that time of great revival in the kingdom of God.

Abraham's Revival

Abraham’s faith is a model for Christians, because we are his successors by faith (Galatians 3:29). Revival of our faith is modeled after his life (Genesis 12-25).

Traditional history tells us that Abram’s father Terah, was a high priest for Nimrod and made idols. History tells that Noah and Shem taught him God’s ways for about 39 years. Records say that Abram taught others about the one true God. Abram had a large following in Haran, including his faithful servant Eliezer. His life was about to change dramatically at age 75, when he was called by God to leave his country.

God promised Abram using the words “I will” six times. Speaking to Abram, God said, Go, "To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3 NKJV). And Abram left a comfortable life in Harran because he had faith in God’s promise, “To your descendants I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7 NKJV) Abram and Lot separated, letting Lot choose the best land (Genesis 13:9), revealing Abram’s selfless character. Obeyed by His friend, God blessed Abram even more saying, “count the stars… So shall your descendants be… And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6)

God changed Abram’s name from High Father (Abram) to Father of a Multitude (Abraham), and Sarai’s name from Princess (Sarai) to THE Princess (Sarah). Circumcising Abraham as a sign of the covenant God promised a son via Sarah. Abraham laughed that a hundred-year-old man would father a son. With a promise, God said, “Sarah your wife will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac [Yitzhak means He Laughs].” (Genesis 17:19 NASB) Laughter filled the family astonished and joyful at the remarkable blessing and Isaac’s name was a constant reminder.

Circumcised already in his heart and ears (Deuteronomy 10:15–17; 30:5–8; Jeremiah 4:1–4; 6:10–11; 9:25–26; Ezekiel 44:7-9; Acts 7:51; Romans 2:27–29), Abraham was now circumcised in his flesh. Of many analogies of Christian baptism, circumcision is a defining one (Colossians 2:11–12). Heart is the important part of any sacrament, because the physical ceremony without the spiritual blessing is an empty ritual. Is baptism therefore for adults only? Pictured in the Exodus, adults and children of ancient Israel were baptized into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:2). In Acts 2:39 we are told that “the promise is for you and your children” (NASB). Baptism must be done “in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19 NASB), but nowhere in the entire Bible is a particular age or mode demanded.

Abraham was far from perfect but, “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11:8 KJV) Was Abraham tested? “It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac” (Hebrews 11:17 NLT) Faithful, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.’ (James 2:23 NKJV)

Is Abraham alive or are the souls of the dead asleep? Abraham’s current status is attested to by Jesus, who taught, “But even Moses showed in the burning bush passage that the dead are raised, when he called the Lord ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” (Luke 20:37-38 NKJV) Faith is the key, because “Abraham had faith in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Romans 4:3 CEB) Is righteousness by faith in us, “for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.” (Romans 4:9 KJV) Key to a deep understanding of Apostolic or Abrahamic succession is, “that those who have faith are children of Abraham.” (Galatians 3:7 NIV)

Rejoice, lovers of God, circumcise your hearts and ears, and laugh joyfully at God’s promises to revive your lives.

Noah’s Revival

If the whole world denied God, would you remain faithful? Let's look at Noah's answer to this question in Genesis 7.

Noah’s responsive hearers were only the members of his own family. Revival elsewhere was refused, because people just did not want to listen. Was “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) largely rejected? Ignored or mocked, “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God” (Genesis 6:9 NKJV) and a comforting part of his ongoing conversation with God was being told, “you are righteous before Me in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)

What is the lesson for us? Will our generation tune out God’s offer of revival too? People ignored God’s warnings by focusing on the ordinary events of life. Will our generation also shut their ears and evade the truth; “as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all” (Luke 17:26-27)?

What can lonely Christians learn from Noah? Can we be strong, when we are the only one in our neighborhood that believes and obeys God? Lonely Christians exist all over the world. Christians in many countries are persecuted, facing loss of income, ostracism from their families, imprisonment and even death. Learn to stand for what’s right, even when all others do not. From the beginning, righteous people have often had to stand alone. Noah was a preacher of righteousness, but his preaching was obviously ignored by all except his own family.

Rejoice, lovers of God, focus on your family.

Seth’s and Enoch's Revivals

Can a revival of interest in God and prayer come about spontaneously? Can we walk with God? Let's look at Seth's and Enoch's revivals in Genesis 4 and 5.

1) Seth's Revival

Did Seth lead this revival, or was it a spontaneous act from among the people? “Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time people began to call on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 4:26 NIV) People “first began to worship the Lord by name” (NLT), or “started worshiping the Lord.” (CEV) Love and faith may be indicated by such worship and prayer. God was certainly on their minds.

Revival sometimes is spontaneous and popular. Can it happen today? Be it an oppressive regime from North Africa to Asia or a spiritually apostate western democracy, popular revival can happen without central human leadership. Overnight a change of hearts can bring a prevailing revival.

What would a revival look like in your neighborhood? Would people talk more often about God? A neighborhood that has high church attendance where the Bible is actually preached, would stand a greater chance of people calling on God. Revival can begin with an elderly person, a young teenager, or ordinary working age adults. Look about you, do you know of people who worship God by name? Like in ancient times, it can happen again today. In your neighborhood, all it takes is a few to start. Your work colleagues, friends and family, do they talk about God? Neighborhood revival just needs one to start.

2) Enoch’s Revival

Enoch’s life was remarkable, walking with God. “After he became the father of Methuselah, Enoch walked faithfully with God 300 years and had other sons and daughters.” (Genesis 5:22 NIV) Walking with God as a friend and companion, for hundreds of years, can we imagine the conversation? “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints” (Jude 14 KJV) With God in prayer throughout our day is also walking with God. “Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.” (Genesis 20:23-24 NLT) God can be our friend too, if we will let Him, and we too can walk with God in prayer throughout every day of our lives.

Walking and talking and fellowshipping with God as our dearest friend will bring continual revival to our hearts. With God as our constant companion, our lives are continually revived. God is pure love and He wants to bless us far and above what this world can offer, if we will just let Him.

What would you discuss with God? Would you share your hopes and dreams, even passing moments about small matters? You can discuss anything with God that you would discuss with any other friend, except that this particular friend loves you more than any other. Discuss your failures openly too, asking for forgiveness without fear, after all God already knows. With such a friend as God, why would anybody ignore Him? God is the best friend you will ever have, in this life and the next.

Rejoice, lovers of God, revival can be spontaneous and let's learn to always walk with God.

Abel’s Revival

Abel’s parents had failed terribly in the garden, inflicting a curse upon all humanity, but they must have taught their second son something about God. Revival in at least one member of the first family was by faith because, “By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice to God than Cain, which showed that he was righteous, since God gave approval to him for his gift. Though he died, he’s still speaking through faith.” (Hebrews 11:4 CEB) Is Cain’s attitude also a common theme throughout history, of jealousy and murder (Jude 11)? Speaking to us still, is Abel’s testimony of a believer who offered a better sacrifice by faith.

Cain probably only gave a half-hearted offering, while his brother gave his best as we can see, “Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift.” (Genesis 4:3-5 NLT) Did he “refuse to do what is right” (Genesis 4:7 NLT), only offering “some” of his crops as a cheap religious gesture, without purity of heart? Wrong attitudes lead to wrong actions, even murder.

The leader of a revival has often been hated and sometimes even assassinated. Jealousy, pure and simple, was the motive for history’s first murder. Killed for his love of God, Abel experienced the first revival after the fall and became the first martyr for his faith.

Have churches across the world been guilty of attacking those who love God? You who scoff at Bible preaching, why do you even go to church? Killed by politics, lust for power, a desire to hear only “smooth things” (Isaiah 30:9-13) and preference for false gospels that tickle the ears, many ministries suffer opposition. Your preacher, if he preaches the Bible as best he can, is a blessing from God. Pastor, will you be faithful to the word of God, even if it means you lose your post?

Rejoice, lovers of God, though jealous people may kill you, you will live with God.

Words of Life

Prelude

Jesus spoke words that are still spirit and life. Purpose: How can mere words be spirit and life? What does that mean? Plan: Let’s discuss why Jesus’ words are described as spirit and life in John 6:56-69.

Eat My Flesh

John 6:56 Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. 57 I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me.

Eating Jesus means munching, crunching or gnawing on Jesus, offensive to many. Those who gnaw on him remain in Him, and twelve disciples did. Theories, camaraderie and music are not the whole meal. They taste good for a while, but the real food is munching on Jesus.

Complaining

John 6:58 I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” 59 He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. 60 Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?” 61 Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you?

Murmuring and grumbling are common. We have all done it. Yet, some are remarkably silent. What’s the secret to not grumbling? Perhaps they can’t talk with their mouths full, because they continually feast on Jesus and have no desire to complain.

We offend God (Leviticus 5:19). He forgives (Isaiah 44:22). Love God’s instructions; don’t be easily offended (Psalm 119:165). God hates discord (Proverbs 6:16-19) and revenge (Leviticus 19:18). Haters quarrel. Lovers pardon (Proverbs 10:12; 18:19). Offended friends are hard to regain (Proverbs 18:19). Friendly wounds are better than backbiters kisses (Proverbs 27:5-6). Do not judge a speck in someone’s eye with a log in your own (Matthew 7:1-5). Discuss offenses privately then with witnesses, before involving the church (Matthew 18:15-17). Rebuke and forgive (Luke 17:3-4). Preaching Christ offends and is ridiculed (1 Corinthians 1:23). If I quit preaching, nobody would be offended (Galatians 5:11). Tolerate faults. Be united in peace. God forgives, so forgive (Ephesians 4:2-3; Colossians 3:13). Be slow to anger (James 1:19).

 
Words that are Spirit & Life

John 6:62 Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? 63 The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) 65 Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

What does it mean that words are spirit? Jesus’ words are spiritual. Words that are spirit can only be received in spirit. We can still receive His words today. It is not our physical traditions that bless us today, but the words of Jesus Christ which are spirit.

Deserting Jesus

John 6:66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Does Jesus offend us? Do the same words offend many today? Church life is a constant winnowing process. The chaff is driven away and the wheat stays. What about us? Will we leave because the words of life offend, or will we stay?

To Whom Would We Go?

John 6:68 Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

The more we promote ourselves, our denominational "distinctives" and our man-made system, the less blessed we will be. The more we promote Jesus, the more He will bless us. When we promote Jesus Christ more than anything else, the blessings from heaven will be poured out in abundance. Words are powerful. Jesus' words speak to us today. They give us eternal life. When preachers teach the words of Jesus, they preach the words of eternal life.

Postlude

Jesus’ words are the lifeblood of Christianity. They still offend some people and others still call them nonsense, but the words of Jesus are also spirit and life.

Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.