Holding God in High Esteem

Chris Danielson -

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The Foundation of Revival: Personal Holiness and Honor for God

Throughout history, nations have risen and fallen based on their relationship with God. As recorded in 2 Chronicles 15, Israel experienced periods when they "were without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law." Yet in their distress, they turned to the Lord and sought Him - and critically, "He let them find him."

Understanding True Esteem for God

To esteem God means more than casual respect - it involves deep mental and heart engagement. The Hebrew concept includes "leading before the mind" and careful consideration. Job demonstrated this level of esteem, declaring "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). Similarly, the psalmist wrote, "Therefore I esteem right all of Your precepts concerning everything" (Psalm 119:128).

The Cost of Hidden Sin

The account of Achan in Joshua 7 powerfully illustrates how hidden sin affects not just individuals but entire communities. After Israel's defeat at Ai, Joshua discovered that Achan had secretly kept plunder from Jericho, violating God's direct command. The progression of Achan's sin followed a familiar pattern:

  1. He saw the valuable items
  2. He coveted them
  3. He took them
  4. He concealed them

This pattern mirrors Eve's temptation in Eden and David's sin with Bathsheba - an innocent sight degenerates into lust, then action, and finally attempted concealment. Yet as Achan's story shows, there is no such thing as truly private sin.

The Glory of Confession

Surprisingly, Joshua told Achan to "give glory to the Lord God of Israel and give praise to him" by confessing his sin (Joshua 7:19). This reveals an often-overlooked truth: honest confession brings glory to God by acknowledging His holiness and justice. Though the consequences for Achan were severe under the old covenant, this principle remains - God takes sin seriously while offering grace through Christ.

The Path to Revival

True revival cannot begin in national capitals or courthouses - it must start with individual hearts. To "revive" means to:

  • Come back to life
  • Bring vigor
  • Awaken
  • Recover from neglect
  • Regain life

As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, Christ's love compels us to "no longer live for themselves but for him." Through Christ, we become new creatures with the power to resist sin. Romans 6:11-14 urges believers to consider themselves "dead to sin but alive to God" and to present themselves as "instruments of righteousness."

The call remains the same as in Ephesians 4:1 - to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling." Just as ancient Israel found God when they earnestly sought Him in their distress, He still invites His people to turn from sin and experience genuine revival through restored fellowship with Him. This begins not with national policy but with personal holiness and a genuine esteem for God demonstrated through obedient lives.