We Don’t Need a Resolution… We Need Revival - The Crosswalk Devotional - January 15

We Don’t Need a Resolution… We Need Revival
By Hannah Benson

Bible Reading:
“If my people who are called by my name 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 ESV

As we are in the midst of New Year’s resolutions, I want to challenge you with an alternative option: instead of simply making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?

Now don’t get me wrong.

There is nothing wrong with making New Year’s resolutions. There’s nothing wrong with saying “I want to do more of this” or “I want to do less of that”.

But more than making New Year’s resolutions, what if we prayed for revival?

We all need revival. We pray for it. We’ve seen it sweep across college campuses. We’ve studied the Great Awakenings in our history books, and now, we’re praying for it to happen again.

We have always needed God, and we’ll never stop needing Him.

But if we look around the shattered state of our country and our world, I think we can all agree we need Him now more than ever.

Revival isn’t based on feelings. We recognize our nation needs revival, yes. Our world needs it, yes. But revival doesn’t happen because we have an amazing pastor or top-notch worship leader. I think a lot of people hear stories of revival and want the feel-good emotions they think will come with it. 

But honestly, revival is messy.

Revival starts with us, and it starts with repentance.

So many people desire the revival, but they would prefer to ignore the call to repentance that precedes the revival.

Without repentance, there is no revival.

Sometimes, we may look at the people around us and think, “This person needs God. They need revival, and they need to change.”

Which is true. They absolutely need God, and maybe they do need to change.

We all do.

But look at what Jesus says in Matthew 7:3-5 (ESV): “Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

This is a call of conviction. We are so quick to look at other people, at the rest of the world (and I’m not saying this world is not messy. It absolutely is).

But we all need Jesus.

Your kids’ nemesis at school who just won’t seem to leave them alone.
The politician who makes you so angry when he steps up to the podium.
The list could go on.
Me.
And you.

But revival starts with each one of us individually. If we want revival? We must repent.

What is the first thing God commands His children to do in 2 Chronicles 7:14?

1. Humble themselves.

Not their neighbor. Not the bully at school. Not the politician in the opposing party.

Themselves.

2. Next, they need to pray and seek the Lord’s face and turn from their wicked ways.

This is part of the repentance and is the decision to surrender the sin we cling to—the conscious turning away from the darkness that has crept into our hearts.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

If we do these things, then God promises: “I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV).

Don’t get me wrong.

Revival is not dependent on our good works. But we do need to be obedient to God’s call. If we keep pointing fingers and saying “They need to repent” while ignoring the log in our own eye, then we are no better than the hypocrites Jesus called out in the Bible.

That humble individual act of turning away from sin and seeking the Lord—that is what is going to fan the flame and spread genuine revival throughout the entire world.

Do we believe it? More importantly, do we live like it?

Pray with me:

Dear Father, we confess that we often desire the blessings of revival without repentance. We confess we are too quick to see the sins of others while ignoring the “log in our own eye.” Lord, make us humble. We lay down our self-righteousness today. Please help us to sincerely pray, seek Your face, and turn from our wicked ways. We ask You to forgive our sin and, starting with us, heal our land. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/James Coleman 

Hannah L. Benson is a writer, actress, and content marketer with a passion for telling stories that glorify God and bring hope to your heart. As a writer, her work can be found in publications including the Rebelution, Her View From Home, Her Faith Arises, Inside Out Worldwide, and now most recently, Crosswalk. Her heartfelt writings have impacted countless women around the country. As one reader put it: "Hannah has a gift of sharing the depths of her heart in a relatable way with a deep understanding of the human heart." Connect with her on Facebook and Instagram @hannahlbensonwrites or visit her website at www.hannahlbenson.com.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

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In this New Year edition of Talk About That, John and Jonnie explore Benjamin Franklin’s advice about vices, neighbors, and becoming better people—plus what it really means to pursue contentment. They also reflect on why private failure is a gift, how attention is the real currency of relationships, and why some of life’s biggest leaps require a little youthful naivety. If you laughed out loud listening to this episode, be sure to subscribe to Talk About That on Apple and Spotify!