In the childhood game, "Follow the Leader", the head of the line or leader is chosen, then all the other children line up behind the leader. The leader then moves around and does certain things which the rest of the children in line must mimic. Oddly enough, for adults, many continue to play this game. There is no shortage of people on all sides seeking their vision of reform to alter the course of history. For Christians who have seen our nation go from "One Nation Under God" to a nation outside the will of God, many place their focus on reform to change our course. Though it’s right to desire our nation to move back into a relationship with God, this occurs not by actions of reformation, but within the hearts of individuals, which is revival. We could even bring back the Bible as the primer for reading in public schools, but unless hearts were changed, this renewed interest would last only as long as this was enforced. This holds true for everything.

For many years, King Joash, who was very young, was a puppet king under the guidance of the godly priest, Jehoiada. Under his rule, many great reforms took place. We read in 2 Chronicles 23:16-17, "Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, the people, and the king, that they should be the Lord's people. And all the people went to the temple of Baal, and tore it down. They broke in pieces its altars and images, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars." They then went about repairing the temple. But we read in 24:17-18, "Now after the death of Jehoaida the leaders of Judah came and bowed to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore, they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass." We read in the next paragraph that King Joash even has the son of Jehaoiada who confronts the king for this apostasy, put to death. This is the problem with reformation vs. revival.

We should all reflect on what it is that we seek and desire for our loved ones and our nation, and for ourselves. Reformation is built on circumstances. Most follow the new leader whether energetically or apathetically simply from a desire of personal success and comfort. Many simply want their spouses and loved ones to go to church, but unless that goes along with a heart change, it will be only a passing phase. Many place so much energy on politics and who the next leader will be and what reforms will be enacted. But many of these reforms are slow to develop and are largely reversed by the next political leader. Reform is much easier. Revival takes much more. Reformation simply requires us to mindlessly follow the leader, like the children's game. Revival requires personal reflection and heart surgery. Reform requires no personal acknowledgement of wrongdoing. Revival requires us to acknowledge that we are not "pretty good", but sinners, each and every one of us. Revival requires us to see ourselves contrasted with a perfect and holy God, and the obvious disparity that exists. Revival requires repentance. Revival requires our acceptance of Jesus' free offer of salvation based on His grace and mercy. Revival requires our making God the Lord of our lives. For revival to occur we must remove our masks of being "pretty good" and rightly see ourselves. Then we can experience revival and actually be used by God. Once you belong to Him, politics may sway the masses but will have no real lasting effects upon us, God's people. Once we experience revival, we will realize that our citizenship is in heaven , and we are merely ambassadors on earth (Philippians 3:20).