Revival & Refinement

“Revival is a renewed conviction of sin and repentance, followed by an intense desire to live in obedience to God. It is giving up one's will to God in deep humility.” - Charles Finney

This weekend we explored Isaiah 1:18-27. The Israelites, living in exile in Assyria were thirsty for “revival”, the restoration of their land and kingdom. God responds, “the only way you’re going to experience revival is through refinement.” The Israelites wanted revival but weren’t too thrilled about refinement. 

God says, “Zion will be delivered with justice, her penitent ones with righteousness” (Isaiah 1v27). Now my generation gets pretty excited about justice - rescuing the oppressed, defending the orphan, pleading for the widow - but righteousness, not so much. The word itself seems a bit repressive and confining. 

The fascinating thing is that in biblical Hebrew, justice and righteousness are virtually the same word. There is an indissoluble union between justice and righteous living. Unrighteousness breeds injustice. Consider the following connections:

I. Rampant Consumerism & Global Poverty

• The average American teenager spends nearly $150 a week while at least 80% of humanity lives on less than $10 a day.

• There are approximately 2.2 billion children in the world, 1 billion of them live in poverty (every second child). 

• According to UNICEF, 25,000 children die each day due to poverty. And they “die quietly in some of the poorest villages on earth, far removed from the scrutiny and the conscience of the world.”

• One billion people in the world have no access to clean water, while the average American uses 400 - 600 liters of water a day. 

• For $35/ month World Vision can connect a child with food and clean water, medical care, educational opportunities, and important life‐skills training. 

• For less than one dollar, Living Water International can provide clean water to one person for one year.

II. Pornography & Human Trafficking

• The total porn industry revenue for 2006: $13.3 billion in the United States; $97 billion worldwide. 

• More than 70% of men from 18 to 34 visit a pornographic site in a typical month

• According to the FBI, thirteen is the average age of entry into pornography and prostitution in the USA.

• Each year, more than 1 million children are exploited in the global commercial sex trade. Child pornography is a $3 billion annual industry.

• As many as 2.8 million children live on the streets worldwide, a third of whom are lured into prostitution within 48 hours of leaving home. The average price of an individual slave is less than a new cell phone or about $90.

• For $50/month International Justice Mission can provide a) Victim Relief; b) Perpetrator Accountability; c) Victim Aftercare; and  d) Structural Transformation

III. Wasted Time & Wasted Lives

• According to Nielsen Media Research's latest report, the average American household watches 8 hours and 15 minutes of television in a 24‐hour period. The average amount of time per individual is about 4 and a half hours per day.

• 17.6 million young people in the US - half the population between 10 and 18 years of age – live in situations that put them at risk of not living up to their potential.

• Without love and guidance from caring adults, they often make choices that not only undermine their futures, but, ultimately, the economic and social well‐being of our cities.

• Spending one hour a week with a teenager, serving as a positive role model and encourager, through organizations like Freedom for Youth, gives these kids a chance.

• Mentored youth have better attendance; a better chance of going on to higher education; better attitudes towards school. Mentoring helps prevent substance abuse and promotes positive social attitudes and relationships

In God’s covenant with Israel, God called the people into a partnership. To join in joyous cooperation toward the restoration of creation. Living in praise of God and working for the common good of one another. 

God desires our whole heart in worship. He is searching for people who will worship him in spirit and in truth, in word and in deed. A people who will worship him as redeemer and then join in his mission of redemption.