Hezekiah not only had a sense of the presence of God, he also had a sense of urgency. In the first month of his first year as king, he reopened the doors to the house of the Lord. The fact that it was during the first year also speaks of redemption according to Exodus 12, when the Passover was first instituted.

Hezekiah then involves the priests and Levites by having them sanctify themselves and the house of the Lord. Hezekiah knew that if there was to be a work of God accomplished things had to be set apart for Him according to His holiness. Hezekiah reminds them that their fathers had sinned against the Lord and “turned their backs on Him” (2 Chr. 29:6–7).

There must be a sense of priority in my Christian life: “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Mt. 6:33). This brings about a sense of holiness and godly order, as we see Hezekiah cleaning out the temple and putting things back in order. We live in a “me first” society. Our culture is described as “lovers of themselves, lovers of money” and “lovers of pleasure” (2 Tim. 3:1–5). This attitude closes off the access to the power of God in our lives, hinders His testimony, and prevents Him from having the glory He should have in and through our lives.

Like Hezekiah, we need to recognize the heart condition, confess it, and clean out that which does not belong. There must be a sense of priority in our lives that will bring about a fresh sense of His holiness and give Him the first place in my heart. If revival is to come, it is not by seeking the revival; it is only by seeking the God of revival!