Watumishi wa Neno

James Wainaina continues on 2 Chronicles 17….

We’ve seen that the revival in 2 Chronicles 17 was preaching-driven. Jehoshaphat chooses not to bow down to Baal but seek and obey the old, neglected law of God and not only that, he is so courageous about the ways of God that he sends a team of princes, Levites and priests to teach fellow Israelites that true revival is only found in a return to the book of the law. This is preached to all in Israel and the revival started by Jehoshaphat’s father Asa is repeated but this time on a larger scale because he takes the good news of God’s book of the law to all the people of Israel.

As we look at Jehoshaphat, we might be tempted to read ourselves as Jehoshaphat – to jump into his shoes. However, we would do better to see him as the Davidic king, a pointer (an imperfect pointer when we reading on to chapter 18) to great David’s Greater Son. It is better that we see ourselves as the people of Judah, needing a king who will lead us in the ways of the Lord – a king who has not sinned but has fully and perfectly sought the Lord and walked in the ways of the Lord. That king is our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. He is the king promised in the line of David in 2 Samuel 7:12-13 who will reign forever.

1. Isn’t he the stronger man, who has taken his throne, crushed the high places of the enemy and established his kingdom – at the Cross?
2. Isn’t he the King who has perfectly walked in the ways of his God and Father and not after idols? He has fully obeyed God’s commandments perfectly with no iota of disobedience or wickedness fulfilling all the commandments.
3. Isn’t he the King whose delight he says is to do the will of His father in heaven including being chastised by the rod and stripes of men (2 Sam 7:14) not because he is a sinner but because He is the substitution offering for our transgression and sinfulness? He who knew no sin became sin for us.
4. Isn’t he the king who has come down from heaven, he who never took his Lordship as something to be grasped but came down in humility to live amongst us, teach the word of God and send out his disciples to continue being his witnesses to his teachings, suffering and resurrection which has brought forgiveness and repentance to all in Luke 24:46-48?
5. And isn’t he the king who will come back to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will be established forever and ever in Rev 11:15?

And as we come to a close, Is he the king who rules our life?

1. Has King Jesus broken into our lives and established his rule?  Have we been revived by him and been given a new identity as a citizen of his kingdom? 
2. Do we know that Christ’s perfect obedience given to us?  Do we know the assurance of being clothed in him?  That we can stand right before God not because of what we have done but because of what He has done.
3. Do we know the joy and blessing that the king has taken the stripes we deserved, taking away all our iniquity and transgression at the Cross?
4. Are we personally listening to the Word that brings revival?  Do we humble ourselves before the Word? In relationship to others, our work places, our families are we looking to Jesus’ Lordship or are we walking in accordance to ways of the world? And are we going out to preach the Word that brings revival? Are we totally convinced that this is how lives will be transformed?
5. As we wait for the return of the King and the final establishing of his Kingdom and peace, are we humble enough even to serve as determined warriors and brave men on the side of the King? Standing up for the kingdom’s rule in our lives not because we have done it, but because the grace of the cross blows our mind when we think of the manner of love that Christ has loved us with and above all, the realization that His kingdom is established now and forever more.

How do we have revived hearts and lives?

It can only be so through:

1. A focus on Jesus Christ our ultimate king.
2. A focus particularly on his work on the Cross.
3. Such a heart-captivating focus on the joy and blessing of Christ that the idols of money, sex, power and fame will be eclipsed and fade.
4. A focus on Christ not through some mystical means but simply through listening to the Word (rather than ourselves or the world).
5. Bringing others to focus on Christ through proclaiming this Word of truth.

May the Lord help us, as we focus on the Lord Jesus Christ our King. This is what will bring a greater revival in our hearts and life. It will bring rejoicing that no man can give. The joy of a greater hope that not even death can take away from us.