말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Bible Verse] But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. (2 Kings 22:11-13)

[Our Story] I like butterflies. They are graceful in their appearance. Their fluttering is unhurried, and the lines they draw in the air are delicate and beautiful. They do not flail their wings in the desperate effort just to survive. Instead, they ride the breeze, flowing like a river. There’s a quiet strength in their elegant fluttering, enough to make children run after them. Even cats and dogs, at times, are captivated and follow their dance. Even in rest, they are beautiful. They don’t land just anywhere—they usually choose flowers. And not just any flowers, but those that match their colors, as if they’re drawn to blossoms that suit their scent, whatever that may be. Even the way they perch is graceful. And when you quietly observe a butterfly at rest, its deeper charm begins to unfold—the patterns on its body. These are beauties unseen from a distance. At first glance, the patterns may seem random and colorful, but when you look more closely, more patiently, you’ll find a certain order. And more than that—the pattern is like a decalcomania. Like folding a piece of paper with paint on one side, then opening it to reveal a perfectly symmetrical image. It’s this pattern that makes a butterfly truly a butterfly. And as I watch a butterfly resting on a flower, I sometimes think of another kind of pattern—the pattern of revival. Yes, the pattern of revival.

 [https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%EB%82%98%EB%B9%84]

[Bible Story] 2 Kings chapters 22-23 portray the revival under King Josiah, tracing the distinct patterns of renewal. The first pattern of revival is the Word of God (2 Kings 22). Josiah became king at the age of eight. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his ancestor David. Early in his reign, he ordered the restoration of the temple, which had been neglected for 57 years since the reign of Manasseh. Hilkiah the high priest faithfully carried out the king’s command to repair the house of the Lord. While overseeing the repairs, Hilkiah found the Book of the Law and gave it to Shaphan the scribe. When Shaphan read the book before King Josiah, the king tore his robes in deep repentance. He had discovered the root of the coming disaster: the people had abandoned the Lord and worshiped other gods. The prophets confirmed this truth. At that moment, the Word was etched as the first pattern of revival. But Josiah did not stop there. He pressed on to imprint the remaining patterns of revival. Following the Word, Josiah restored true worship (2 Kings 23). He gathered all the elders of Jerusalem and went up to the temple. There, the king read from the Book of the Covenant and publicly renewed the covenant before the Lord. The people pledged to follow it. Josiah then commanded Hilkiah and the priests to remove all the idols and high places from Judah and Israel. He reinstated the celebration of the Passover, just as it was written in the covenant. Worship had been restored. In doing so, King Josiah carved a clear and enduring pattern of revival into the history of Israel.

[Your Story] Do you long for revival? If you desire spiritual revival, you must imprint the patterns of revival upon your life. Revival begins when the Word of God is etched into your daily living. The Word of God is not merely for comforting the heart or helping us choose a more prosperous path. It must lead your life. Let your life be filled—not with human words—but with the living Word of God. And when true worship is restored, you will encounter revival. Not a worship shaped by shifting feelings, but a worship that offers the fruit of gratitude, carefully and generously given to God. Even in the smallest moments of everyday life, may your worship be one of communion with the Lord. I pray that the pattern of revival may be imprinted upon your life.

“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Israel his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!”(1 Chronicles 16:10–12)

Copyrightⓒ 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim