"Microwave Revival" May 15 Readings: 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-32, Psalm 48

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026

This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation. The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings:  2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29-32, Psalm 48

In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer. 

Background:  

The life of Hezekiah is inspirational and tragic. He was a turning point in Judah's life, leading them in a great revival, but his late-life spiritual failure also sealed their demise. He raised a son named Manasseh, who became the most evil of all Judah's rulers - so wicked that God determined judgment would fall.

Daily Devotional: Microwave Revival

Hezekiah was one of the best kings of Judah, one of only two who were compared favorably with David himself (later, Josiah will be the second). Almost as soon as he ascended to the throne, and having seen the devastation that sin brought to the northern kingdom of Israel, he decided to lead Israel back to fidelity to God.

He started by cleansing the temple and taking all the idolatrous mess that defiled the temple into the Kidron Valley to be burned. He reinstituted proper worship in Jerusalem and reorganized the priests and Levites to reassume their proper roles. Everything had to be done in accordance with the commands of God.

It's a pretty familiar pattern for revival. It begins with repentance by God's people and a willingness to put away anything that draws our attention and affection away from God. We must return to worship him as we ought. Fortunately for us, the sacrifice for our sins was made once and for all by Jesus Christ, but we must renew our love and devotion to him.

But there is another element to true revival that escapes American Christianity. Somewhere along the line, someone convinced us that a worship service must be ONE HOUR. All the prayers, singing, giving, sharing, and preaching of God's Word must fit neatly into a 60-minute package. There's no way we can do what we really need to become all God wants us to be in a 60-minute worship service once a week.

Look at 2 Chronicles 30. Hezekiah called all of Israel together to celebrate the Passover, the remembrance of God's great saving act on Israel's behalf. It was supposed to be celebrated every year, but Israel had ignored it for decades, perhaps centuries. So, they gathered and celebrated Passover for 7 full days. Seven full days of worship before God. When's the last time anyone did that?

Here is the kicker: at the end of those 7 days, guess what they did? Verse 23 tells us.

The whole congregation decided to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy.

After 7 days of thanksgiving, they decided to devote seven more days to God. Fourteen days. Verse 26 tells us the result of all of that.

There was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for nothing like this was known since the days of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel.

Judah drew near to God for the first time since the days of Solomon, and the result was joy, what we might call a revival. Judah returned to God. And, according to verse 27, God heard the prayers. 

Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.

God responded to his people's genuine, heartfelt worship. He heard their prayers and restored their land.

No, maybe we do not need to spend 14 straight days in the presence of the Lord to find personal revival, but it takes time. We cannot fit God into the corner of our busy lives and hope for good things. Anything that produces spiritual fruit takes time. It takes time to grow in Christ, to build godly character, and to draw near to God. 

You cannot microwave spiritual renewal. The process of revival is a slow bake. If you try to rush it to fit into your busy schedule, the work of God in us suffers.

Father, thank you that through Jesus we can draw near to you. May I take the time necessary to do that every day.  

 

Consider God's Word:

Do you seek to rush through spiritual development?
Do you take the time necessary to grow and become all God wants you to become?