REPENTANCE PRECEDES REVIVAL
The prophet Zechariah prophesied to the Jewish exiles, who had returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity in Babylon. Yet, returning to Jerusalem wasn’t the same as returning to God. The Lord commanded Zechariah to “Say to them.” In other words, “Preach to them: Return to Me and I’ll return to you.”
Repentance always precedes revival. For just coming back to your spouse or family or church or Lord, doesn’t mean that you’ve repented of what caused the separation. To truly return, repentance is required. Otherwise, there can be no true revival of the love that you knew at first.
The Lord instructed Zechariah to tell the returning exiles that returning to Jerusalem wasn’t the same as returning to God. Yet, the Lord was ready and willing to return to them the minute they repented. Like the father of the prodigal son, he waited with open arms. After all, He had never left them. They had left Him.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we repent of our sins against You. We return to You in every area, not wanting even one aspect of our lives out of alignment with Your will. We know that You are faithful to forgive us and cleanse us through the blood of Jesus, Whom we have believed. Revive us, O Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.