Grow With Pastor Joe

Devotions for The Head, the Heart, and the Home

Isaiah 57:15-16

Read: Israel and Judah had forsaken God. They are facing destruction, judgment, and captivity due to their sins. Yet, in the midst of this God graciously, mercifully, and lovingly promises revival to those who will turn to Him. When it comes to revival we must remember that while we are not able to provide revival for ourselves, we may prepare for revival and participate in God’s reviving work. God desires revival of His people for their good and His glory. It is His grace that revives our hearts but we must have prepared hearts. It is His grace that revives our hearts but we must participate with His work within us. Isaiah 57:15 gives us a few things to  have revival ready hearts. (1) Seek God’s holiness. Seeing God for who He is the most reviving thing that anyone can do. Looking to God’s holiness is not to hurt us but to help us. It reveals who He is, what He does, and desires to do while revealing who we are and our desperate need of Him. (2) Surrender in humility. Surrendering to God in humility is the result of seeking His holiness. God promises in this verse to be near and revive the spirit of the humble. Contrition and humility go hand and hand. Humility is the requirement of revival, response of revival, and reward of revival. Humble hearts are revived hearts and revived hearts are humble hearts. If we are to have revived hearts, then we must approach the Lord’s holiness (His Word, Work, Will) with great humility. As we come to Him in humility, His holiness will do a life giving work of revival within our hearts and homes.

Reflect:  Read James 4:7-10. Write down or discuss the things that God requires and the reward of humility. 

Rest: Rest your head, heart and home in the precious promises of God to do a work of revival through holiness and humility. 

Respond: Each day this week pray and seek God with contrition and humility to have a prepared heart that can participate in God’s reviving work. Pray for a real revival done God’s way.