If It Be Marvelous

 

“Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts.” - Zechariah 8:6

 

            Only God himself can send revival, and only God himself can accomplish it. Revival cannot be birthed through man's ingenuity.  It cannot be orchestrated or commanded.  True, genuine, Holy Ghost revival is the presences of God himself.   

 

In the eight chapter of Zechariah, the Word of the Lord is given to the prophet in the second year of Darius king of Persia.  Zechariah is prophesying at the same time as Haggai who said, “Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?”  Ezra the scribe is now back in Jerusalem trying to rebuild the temple (the Lord’s house that lies in waste).  There is a lot going on.  In this time, the Word of the Lord comes to Zechariah and tells him that he jealous over Jerusalem.  He tells him I will dwell in Jerusalem, and the aged men and women will dwell rejoice in the streets.  That the streets of the city will be filled with children at play.  He paints a picture of revival.  Then the Word of the Lord says, if it be marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvelous in mine eyes?  Try to imagine your homeland in desolation (sadly, some may not have to imagine), imagine the things you hold most dear in ruin.  That feeling of great loss, and hopelessness.  This was the state of Jerusalem. It was God’s people removed from their country, and just a few left there.  Now, can you imagine the faith it would take to believe that God would be there?  That men, women, and children would be together in the streets: safe, secure, and happy?  God says if it be marvelous in your eyes, it will be marvelous in mine.  God says, if this scene is marvelous, wonderful, incredible to you; it will be to me.  This is the message from God to God’s people.  When you look out at our land and country today, if holiness people think themselves just a remnant living in a desolate decaying land, and that is all there is; we will never see revival.  Worse still, if we love this present world, and long to return to it; what hope is there when that is what is marvelous in our eyes?  What is attractive to you is what you attract.  COVID drove us into our homes, and we walled ourselves off from so many things.  What was interesting, was not what we forsook, but what it was that finally got us out of the cave.  The who or what that finally made us say: “yes, this is worth the risk.”  That is what is marvelous to us.  What is marvelous in your eyes?  What is incredible to you?  What gives you pause, causes you to stop and look, or rise and seek?  Is it worldly possessions?   Abundance of talent?  The newest trend, latest fashion, coolest gadget?  Do we really want to see a sinner break with the world and fall in love with God; or simply talk about it?  Would you rather see the Holy Ghost grip this nation and turn us back to holiness, or see another Facebook feed or concert, television show, ballgame, etc.?  What is marvelous in your eyes?  

 

Jesus told of an unjust judge who totally ignored a widow woman that had been wronged.  The Word of God says that by her “continually coming” she persuaded the judge.  If an unjust judge would do right by her, how much more the Judge of all the Earth? How much more would God in heaven if we but humble ourselves, continually seek His face, and make holiness marvelous in our eyes?  Revival starts within, not without.  As in the days of Josiah the King, we must look to our own house and ask God to clean out the rubbish and clear out all the mess.  Read His Word, commit to prayer, and be honest with God.  When he answers by fire in our heart, it will make revival marvelous in our eyes, consequently in His, and by God’s grace he will make it marvelous to the world.