187. 2CH 29:16-17. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE
2Ch_29:16-17. Something Must Be Done
By the Rev. Gardiner Spring, A. M., New York.
"And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it; and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord, into the court of the house of the Lord. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify."’972Ch_29:16-17
The passage just cited relates to Hezekiah, who, when he came to the throne of Judah, found religion in a very low and languishing state. His father, Ahaz, had been, not only an idolatrous king, but notorious for his impiety. With this state of things the heart of pious Hezekiah was deeply affected; hence he made a bold, persevering, and successful attempt to effect a revival of religion. It is worthy of remark, that the season when these pious designs began to be carried into effect, was the commencement of a new year. Success is not limited to the exertions of Hezekiah. A revival of religion is within our reach at the commencement of the present year, as it was within his, twenty-five hundred years ago. Let us then show,
I. What a Revival of Religion is
Languishing graces of God’s people revived. Christians anxious and prayerful. Ministers animated and zealous. House of God thronged. Presence of the Lord felt in an especial manner. The careless awakened. Stout-hearted subdued. Prodigals reclaimed. Hearts of adamant melted. Many souls converted. Backsliders restored, &c. Such signal revivals have been no uncommon thing in our world. If you advert to the rising generation in the wilderness. To the reigns of David Solomon, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Uzziah, and Josiah. During the ministrations of Ezra. In the days of John the Baptist. Day of Pentecost. Just after this in Samaria, Phenice, Cyprus, and Antioch Acts 8 :During the days of the reformers in the 16th century. West of Scot land in 1625 and 1630. North of Ireland 1628. In London, during the plague in 1665. Western world, under the ministrations of Whitefield, Brainerd, Edwards, &c. Let us notice,
II. The necessity of such a Revival among ourselves.
The necessity will appear,
1. From the worldliness of professing Christians.
How many seem resolved, at any rate, to be rich. Appear to make wealth their idol, Mammon their god!
2. The indifference of God’s people in regard to the power of godliness on their own hearts.
A chilling stupidity pervades the church. Religion seems a dull and languid thing. Sacred flame nearly extinct. Awful blank in religious duties.
3. Our signal abuse of prosperity.
The full tide of worldly prosperity seems to have set in with a resistless current. Thousands are floating on its surface. It is this that casts so dark a shade over the prospects of the church. Prolific source of mischief to the souls of men. The people of God are so intoxicated by the world, so stupified by indifference, so oppressed by criminal unbelief, that we need the effusions of divine grace. Dying men are daily descending lo the tomb; and we must have help from on high.
III. What ought to be done in attempting this great and good Work.
1. We must repent of our declension.
There must be a spirit of deep humiliation. We must mourn our departures from God. Lament our backslidings. Rend our hearts. Repair to the blood of atonement, that our deep-stained sins may be washed away.
2. We must sincerely desire a revival of religion.
Ardent desires excited. Dying graces quickened. Sensible and strong longings for the outpourings of the Spirit.
3. We must sincerely and fervently pray for it.
Not a soul will be lifted from the pit without the grasp of an Almighty hand. With this solemn truth before us, we must pray for the outpouring of the Spirit. We must pray habitually, fervently and with persevering supplication. We must "wrestle with God until break of day," we must "weary him," not let him go until he bless us 4. We must act agreeably to our prayers Bold and zealous exertion. Particular attention to the means, to opportunities Instruction, discipline, &c.
5. We must expect it.
Hope animates exertion. If we expect it we shall think of it. Desire it. Look to God. Rely on God. Pray in faith, &c. Observe,
IV. When the people of God do thus at tempt to promote the Revival of Religion, they may hope to succeed.
1. God is able to help them.
2. It is God’s own cause, on which his eye and heart have been fixed from the early ages of eternity. Object for which the Son of God was stretched upon the accursed tree For which the Spirit dwells with men.
3. God has often succeeded the attempts of others. Let us then bear this subject upon our hearts. In our closets. Let us all bear it until the sacred fire be kindled, and burn deep, and last long. Let us bear it now and with hope. Amen.
Autor: JABEZ BURNS