The Key to Survival is Revival
By Dr. Mark Denison
“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 will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
This well-known verse states God’s requirements for blessing – humility, prayer, devotion, and repentance. While this promise was originally given to King Solomon regarding the people of Israel, it is certainly applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. This verse stands as a high expression of God’s readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people.
Let’s break it down.
“If my people” – This is the first condition that God is looking to be met before He will act. It is clear that God is issuing a conditional promise to His people – do these things and I will respond. God has an expectation of specific things before He brings revival and these promises are only for those who place their faith in God. The work of revival always begins with God’s own people. God must first renew His people before the real work of winning souls for Christ can take place.
“Who are called by my name” – God is the one who calls us out from among the world. Being a Christian means that we are meant to stand out from the rest of the world. We must live differently than the world because we value different things, we value an eternal promise and we value a different lifestyle.
“Will humble themselves” – The word humble means to be in submission, to live in a state of surrender. When we humble ourselves, we are literally saying to God, you are in control of my life. When we humble ourselves before God we are allowing Him to mold us to His will and once we allow God to do that, we cannot remain the same.
“And pray” – One of the key principles of revival is a determined effort in prayer. When we pray we are bringing our lives to meet with God and in the moment that we meet with the Lord, something amazing happens. He pours Himself into our lives. This is why prayer is so absolutely essential to experiencing revival.
“And seek my face” – To seek something from God means to first have a deep desire to see it happen and then to actively and persistently pursue it. One of the main reasons churches in America seldom see a movement of God is that they just don’t want it badly enough.
“And turn from their wicked ways” – Revival will never happen in our lives until we let go of our sin. Sin is nothing more than pure bondage. When we recognize our sin and confess it to God, we renew our fellowship with Him and He sets us free.
Time is short. Our Lord is coming back soon. America is on the brink. She must learn – soon – that the only hope for survival is revival.