We have the most interesting conversations. At Vacation Bible School, a five-year-old told his teacher, “Two years ago, I took this toy from the three-year-old class and I brought it back today.” “What do you want me to do with it,” asked his teacher. “Give it to the pastor. He will know what to do with it.” As I write today it sits before me, the token of a boy’s repentance. What will I do with it? We will see!
Joash was seven years old when he began to reign. When his evil father Ahaziah was killed, Joash’s grandmother decided to kill the whole royal family. His Aunt Jehosheba rescued baby Joash from his grandmother. Then Jehoiada the priest protected and taught Joash and he became a godly leader of Judah, doing “what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” Joash went on to remodel the temple which had fallen into disrepair.
Last week I saw indications of life at Tallowood. One of our young leaders has begun to pray in the Chapel at lunchtime. Others are joining him. For some time, a few of our leaders have been praying fervently for revival at Tallowood. Children are bringing their families with them to church. The wind of God’s Spirit is beginning to blow across our church. So often God begins great things with the obedience of a child. When a five-year-old feels conviction and returns a toy, this tells me something about his parents. But it also tells me something about his God. What if God is calling his people to repent and a child was the first to get the message? “A little child will lead them,” wrote Isaiah. Will we follow his example? What do we need to bring back to God? God will know what to do with it. Revival awaits the obedient repentance of the people of God.
