Praying for Revival?

 

2 Samuel 16; Psalms 70–71; Ezekiel 23; 2 Corinthians 9

In a video interview, a well-known preacher and Bible teacher says that the world is calling evil good and good evil, quoting a verse from Isaiah. Is it only God’s people that realize this? Is it only the ungodly who do it?

Not necessarily. Old Testament history illustrates fickle human hearts in many ways. One example happened when King David’s son usurps the kingdom and the people who once adored their king begin to treat him with contempt. Even his closest counselor became a traitor. David never changed but people in his world treated this good king now as evil.

In the time of Ezekiel, God told this prophet that His people who were called by His name had become like adulterous women lusting after the ungodliness of the nations around them. They turned from His goodness to evil living. After an X-rated description, the Lord said:  

“Bring up a vast host against them and make them an object of terror and a plunder. And the host shall stone them and cut them down with their swords. They shall kill their sons and their daughters and burn up their houses. Thus will I put an end to lewdness in the land, that all women may take warning and not commit lewdness as you have done. And they shall return your lewdness upon you, and you shall bear the penalty for your sinful idolatry, and you shall know that I am the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 23:46–49)

The readings from David’s prayer in the psalms and the one in the New Testament both shout that these evils are not God’s way. The difference is dramatic. First, David prays and glorifies the goodness of God, demonstrating that he knows where his help comes from:

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again. (Psalm 71:17–20)

This man is not treacherous or greedy because he has learned from his sin that he needs God. He cannot excuse himself, only confess and rely on the faithfulness of the Lord.

The instructions in the NT also point to God as the source of human goodness. 2 Corinthians 9 gives one example of how the work of God in human hearts brings glory to Him. Instead of treachery and self-centered desire, He produces in His people a generous and loving attitude that abounds in goodness and thoughtfulness toward others . . .

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift! (2 Corinthians 9:8–15)

God supplies everything His people need. He first supplies my righteousness in Christ; I cannot be righteous apart from Him. He enriches me so I can be generous to others and all thanks goes to Him. He is glorified by my submission to Him and to the Gospel. His gifts are immense, eternal and cannot be fully communicated!

What foolishness to call goodness evil and evil good, yet people are doing it. One example: I heard someone declare that if the US Supreme Court abolished abortion that would be evil. She said if the right to destroy unborn children continues, it would be good.

APPLY: God says, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil . . .” I must glorify God with truth and righteous behavior and never make excuses for my own failures. They may not seem evil to others but God draws a sharp line between doing my own thing and being filled with His Spirit. I need Him to live for His glory and keep praying that He convicts people of sin and our need for Jesus and for changed lives that refuse to listen to lies.