2 Chronicles 7:11-22
Verse 14 …if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
The verse above is frequently quoted as a cry for revival and yet too often the call for prayer is all that is focused on. Prayer is a vital part of revival but it is only one portion of it. There is another portion which is something we don’t like to talk about or if we do, we don’t talk about it very seriously, repentance. It is often viewed as outdated thinking or not understood in its fullness. Repentance isn’t easy but it is necessary.
Repentance is more than simply saying we are sorry. We throw the word “sorry” around, sadly not giving it the meaning it should hold. We may tell our children to tell their sibling they are sorry and have to follow that with a clarification of, “like you mean it” but do we really mean it when we say it? Often we really mean we’re sorry we got caught.
Repentance takes more commitment than the casual apology. When we use the word sorry it often means we’re sorry we did it this time but that doesn’t mean we won’t do it again. When God called for repentance He understood it means turning away from the behavior which He has convicted us of. It isn’t that we don’t know what we are doing is wrong most of the time, we just don’t want to admit it and stop doing it.
There were many times throughout history where God’s people showed they cared more about themselves than they did about God and His ways. Each time God’s people walked away, the Lord would draw them to a place of repentance. First they would need to be reminded of their need for Him and then the rest of the work could be done.
We say we want revival, in our church, in the nation and in the world, but are we willing to let it start with us? Are we willing to take the steps of repentance to allow God to move in our own hearts? Over the next few weeks we are going to look at what it means to repent in a way which pleases God so He will forgive our sins and then we will see revival start in our hearts.
Making It Personal
Have you repented? What is your relationship with God? How would a revival in your life change you?
Making It Personal Kids
Why is saying you are sorry not enough? What do you think revival means? Do you want to get closer to Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us the opportunity to repent. Help us understand what it means to fully repent and live as You would have us live. Revive us in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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