DAY 159 Read 2 Chronicles 13 through 15.
Today's reading has at least one bright spot: the reformation under Asa in Judah. Even good King Asa, however, became careless later and lapsed into sin.
Memory gem: "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded" (2 Chronicles 15:7).
Thought for today:
Do we need a revival of true religion today? There is no question about the answer. But will we have the revival we need? Will it come? Friends, it will never come until we fulfill the laws of revival. God will do His part, but not until we do our part. We will not have a revival until we obey the rules.
For just a moment let us see how the revival came in the days of King Asa. As we read 2 Chronicles 15, it seems that we are looking at a picture of our day. It was a time of trouble. Many had forsaken the worship of God. Religious education was on the decline. This is the case with millions today.
Well, what are the rules? What do we need for a revival?
First: Courage (see verse 7). It takes courage to break with evil habits and bad associates.
Second: Put away all idols (see verse 8). What about our idols today? Anything that comes between us and God is an idol; and, judged by that standard, this is an idolatrous age. This applies especially to idols of the mind, and they must be put away. Are we willing to give them up?
Next, after courage and putting away idols, we come to the third step toward a revival renewing the altar of the Lord. That's what King Asa did (see verse 8), and that is what everyone who has ever had a real revival has done. God's altar must be renewed in our hearts, in our homes, and in our churches. Do you pray, privately and alone? Do you have family worship in your home? Do you take part in public worship? We must pray if we are to have a revival today. It will never come without prayer.
What was the result when King Asa obeyed the laws of revival? The answer is in verse 9. The people responded and came from all directions to help him when they saw the result of his consecration. And we are told that the revival caused the people to dedicate themselves and their possessions to the Lord. Then happiness came to them.
Today's reading has at least one bright spot: the reformation under Asa in Judah. Even good King Asa, however, became careless later and lapsed into sin.
Memory gem: "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded" (2 Chronicles 15:7).
Thought for today:
Do we need a revival of true religion today? There is no question about the answer. But will we have the revival we need? Will it come? Friends, it will never come until we fulfill the laws of revival. God will do His part, but not until we do our part. We will not have a revival until we obey the rules.
For just a moment let us see how the revival came in the days of King Asa. As we read 2 Chronicles 15, it seems that we are looking at a picture of our day. It was a time of trouble. Many had forsaken the worship of God. Religious education was on the decline. This is the case with millions today.
Well, what are the rules? What do we need for a revival?
First: Courage (see verse 7). It takes courage to break with evil habits and bad associates.
Second: Put away all idols (see verse 8). What about our idols today? Anything that comes between us and God is an idol; and, judged by that standard, this is an idolatrous age. This applies especially to idols of the mind, and they must be put away. Are we willing to give them up?
Next, after courage and putting away idols, we come to the third step toward a revival renewing the altar of the Lord. That's what King Asa did (see verse 8), and that is what everyone who has ever had a real revival has done. God's altar must be renewed in our hearts, in our homes, and in our churches. Do you pray, privately and alone? Do you have family worship in your home? Do you take part in public worship? We must pray if we are to have a revival today. It will never come without prayer.
What was the result when King Asa obeyed the laws of revival? The answer is in verse 9. The people responded and came from all directions to help him when they saw the result of his consecration. And we are told that the revival caused the people to dedicate themselves and their possessions to the Lord. Then happiness came to them.
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