The Heart of the Father for Revival
By: Pastor Stephen Mook - Generation Church, South Kingstown, RI
“And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.” (Malachi 4:6)
The prophet Malachi, in 440-420 BC, was the last messenger of God to directly speak to the people of God, in the post-exilic period, before the birth and reign of Jesus. Malachi, which means messenger, wrote with his own hands, “A burden, the word of Yahweh to Israel.” (Malachi 1:1)
Malachi, like any true prophet, revered God and had a righteous burden to be faithful, which is the essence and foundation of revival. Revival starts with us and leads to a burden to see God’s children return to the Father, “I have loved you, says the Lord.” (Malachi 1:2)
Malachi identified the problem of Israel and humanity with clarity. Sin destroys our relationships, none greater than with God and our families. Sin isn’t that we don’t believe in God but that we don’t believe and obey wholeheartedly. The slow drift away from God’s heart and ways continues to impact nations and the generations.
However, we have a message and covenantal promise of hope. “Come back to God, wholeheartedly, and I will heal your relationships and the land. Faithfully come back to the heart and ways of God; from the altar, to the dinner table, to the bedroom.” God’s burden is for the generations in light of his coming judgement and his completed new creation.
Spiritual awakening and generational revival is happening in our day. We have a lot of work ahead of us, stewarding revival is God’s vision, but let’s call out the good that is happening. Families are being restored, people are coming back to God’s heart, little by little, wholeheartedly devoted. I am a living testimony, a son of a faithful pastor, to a rebellious teenager, to now revived, leading my soon to be teenager to lead his generation in Christ, to see revival.
God has given you a burden and a promise. Together, let’s remember again that our burden for generational revival, given to us by God, is met with the unbreakable, covenantal, faithful promises of God.
“But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts… And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.” (Malachi 4:2-3, 6)
Prayer:
Father, thank you for loving us. We repent for not loving you wholeheartedly. We come back to you. We not only want to see generational revival but continue to prepare us to steward it in Jesus name.
Scripture Meditation:
I encourage you to spend time reading and praying through the short book of Malachi a few times, asking the Holy Spirit to apply it to your life, church, and ministry.