Hello Everyone,

Read with me 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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

I suppose no other passage in the Bible has been used more often to preach about revival than this verse. That is because it is a revival verse. Notice to whom the verse is addressed to: "My people, called by My Name!” God is speaking to people who have identified themselves with Him and His work. He is speaking to people that we would call Children of God.

This verse was given to Solomon at the dedication of the Temple. God had warned the people that their disobedience to His Word and commands would bring with it consequences, v. 13, for their land. Now, He sets the conditions necessary to reverse His judgment and to bring revival.

This is not a recipe! But, if the conditions are all met God's way, then the stage will be set for real revival. Notice with me God's Method For Real Revival.

First of all REAL REVIVAL DEMANDS REAL REQUIREMENTS

(Before revival can ever become a reality, the people of God must meet the four demands mentioned in this verse. Meeting these four demands does not guarantee that revival will happen, but it does create an atmosphere for it to happen.)

The first demand is A Call To Preparation - Humility - This word has the idea of being "under another". One of the things we as God's people must do is remember WHO is Lord! When we humble ourselves to the Lord, we are acknowledging His Lordship and headship in our lives. We are admitting our weakness and reaching out for His POWER. We are saying I can't, but you can! (This is the picture seen in Joshua 5:13-15. Joshua is told to remove his shoes. This was a way of giving control to another. It was a way of saying, "I can't, but you can.")

Those who willingly humble themselves under the hand of the Lord open their lives to His blessings:

Matt 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. NIV

James 4:6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." NIV

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. NIV

1 Peter 5:5-6 Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. NIV

Understand our humility is to be voluntary! If we do not humble ourselves, there may come a day when the Lord will allow things to do it for us.

Oh How HE Loves Us!

Pastor Phil