“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, ESV)
After construction of the Temple, Solomon prayer of dedication. Knowing that the people would stumble in sin and suffer as a result, he prayed for them that the Lord would restore the nation. This verse is the Lord’s answer to Solomon’s prayer.
Here we see four characteristics of true revival and five key reasons that revival tarries. The first reason that revival tarries is characterized by the beginning phrase of this verse, “if my people who are called by my name. . . “
True revival must start in the heart of the church, God’s people. We point to the spiritual death outside the walls of our church as we see the despicable actions of a godless society. Yet we overlook the near-death experience of our own churches.
This is nothing new. Look at the churches of Revelation chapters 2 and 3 that were rebuked for their flaws.
Ephesus – Lost their first love, the love of God and fellow believers
Pergamum – Tolerant of evil and immorality
Thyatira – Woman who taught believers to practice sexual immorality
Sardis – A church that had the reputation of life but was spiritually dead
Laodicea – A lukewarm church
These same issues plague the church today. They are issues of the heart of the church. We need to seek the Lord with a whole heart while He may be found. We need to see Him in the light of His infinitude in every area so that we may see our own need. revival needs to begin with the church. Only then will we be able to reach those in a lost and dying world with the gospel.
Renewing the Heart 