RIVALS OF REVIVAL
TEXT: 2 CHRONICLES 7:14
By Dr. Julius Czar Daoa
Introduction:
Welcome to our new series for the month of March entitled, “Unfrozen”. How to set your heart on fire for
revival? Paano makakawala sa isang mala-bangkay na kalagayan tungo sa nag-aapoy na spiritual life?
Our passage for today is a well known verse that is often used by preachers to talk about the subject of
revival. It is a revival verse. This word was spoken to King Solomon at the dedication of the temple. He
is told by God that disobedience and rebellion will result in judgment upon the nation of Israel.
Friends, we need revival! We need something that we cannot produce by our own efforts. Revival is a
supernatural event. We can have a meeting this week, but we cannot have a revival unless the Lord gives
it. While we cannot produce a revival, we can meet the requirements set forth in these verses, and that
will make revival much more likely.
2 Chronicles 7: 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. (NIV)
The author speaks of the possibility and the problems associated with revival. There are four problems
mentioned in this verse that can sabotage and prevent revival from taking place. We need to listen closely
to what the Bible has to say about this matter and do whatever we need to do to see that these enemies
of revival do not hinder us from getting what we need from the Lord. Let’s look into this passage together
and talk about The Rivals (karibal) Of Revival.
Note: He says, “If”, meaning there is a condition. May pinapagawa si Lord na kabaliktaran sa
dati nilang ginagawa. At itong dati nilang ginagawa ang nagiging dahilan kung bakit sila
nalalayo sa Diyos at nalalapit sa kapahamakan. Here are the rivals of revival.
1. THE ISSUE OF “PRIDE”
“Will humble themselves” – This phrase deals with the area of our pride. The word translated “pride”
in the Old Testament means “ to rise or to swell up. ” It refers to the rising of the waves of the sea. It
speaks of men thinking more of themselves and their abilities than they do of God. Pride says, “I do not
need help, I can make my own way. I know what I am doing.”
God has a better plan! He calls on His people to “humble themselves”. The word “humble” means “to
bend the knee; to bring down; to place self under another. ” Pride will not allow the prideful person
to bow their knee to the Lord.
God’s people need to realize that we were nothing when He found us; we would be nothing without Him
and that we can accomplish nothing apart from Him.
If we are going to have revival, then pride, the first rival of revival, must be dealt with forever!
2. THE ISSUE OF “PRAYER”
The people of God are challenged to “pray”.
Prayer looks to God and says, “I can’t, but you can!”
Charles Finney said, “Prayer is the essential link in the chain of events that leads to revival !”
Leonard Ravenhill said, “The church is dying on its feet because it is not living on its knees! ”
3. THE ISSUE OF “PRIORITY”
God’s people are told to “seek His face”. The word “seek” means “to search out by any method;
The word “face” refers to “the countenance; to turn toward His direction .” This little phrase is a call
for God’s people to stop looking for help and purpose in every other thing in life. They are called upon to
make God their primary focus and their first priority.
Pag sinabing “seek my face” sa Hebrew ibig sabihin ay “ pursue my presence”. Nawawala kasi ang pag-
mamahal kapag nawawala ang priority.
If you had to be really honest today, what is the number one priority in your life? Is it your job? Is it your
bank accounts or retirement? Is it your family? Is it your church? Is it your spouse? Is it your
hobby? Or, is it the Lord? When anything but God is the number one priority in your life, you are out of
balance and you are not a candidate for revival.
When God is our first priority, the things He cares about are the things we will care about. When we are
seeking His face, we will be able to see what has His attention. And, what has His attention is to be that
which has our attention. He wants us to love what He loves, hate what He hates and do what He does.
If you really want to know what your priorities are today then ask yourself three questions: (1) On what
activity do you spend most of your time? (2) On what do you spend the bulk of your
money? (3) On what do you focus your thoughts?
Look at where you go; what you do and where you spend your money. Do that and you will have a good
idea of your priorities in life. Where does God fit in the equation of your life? Is He in first place? If He
isn’t than you are not a candidate for revival!
Misplaced priorities are the enemy of real revival. Ililigaw ka ng wrong priorities sa presence ni Lord.
Ihahatid ka naman ng right priority sa presence Niya.
4. THE ISSUE OF “PURITY”
Finally, God’s people are told to “ turn from their wicked ways.” That is, they are to forsake their sins
and embrace holiness.
We are saved by grace, but grace is never a license to sin!
What we need is a season of repentance. We are good with our excuses; and we are quick to rationalize
our behavior; but we are slow to fall before the Lord and confess our sins and receive His
forgiveness. But, He will never bless us with revival until we do! We must come clean about our sins,
before He can bless us (Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9).
James 5:16b says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. ”
Always remember, madaling tumalikod sa karumihan kapag kay Lord ka haharap. Kapag kung kani-kanino
ka lang haharap, mahihirapan kang tumalikod sa kasalanan.
Conclusion:
Yes, there are some enemies that must be defeated. They can be, and if they are, we can experience
God’s power. He promised Israel that He would “I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and
will heal their land.” That is a description of revival: God hearing; God cleansing and God healing. The
word “heal” means “to stitch back together; to repair thoroughly. ” That is what we need today!
Are you a candidate for revival? Here is the invitation:
Are you “His people”? If not, you need to be saved. You need to come to Jesus today!
MINISTRY TIME: Prayer of acceptance/salvation, restoration, provision, healing, etc.