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We have an interesting description of a very old instance of -

I. CHURCH RENOVATION. Here were all the elements that ordinarily occur.

1. Dilapidation, or the condition of being out of repair. In this case there had been profanation, deliberate injury, spoliation (ver. 7); but always there will be waste and decay even in "the house of the Lord." The elements of nature do not spare the most sacred sanctuary.

2. An energetic leader. Joash signalized his otherwise ordinary career by taking this matter much to heart and taking it thoroughly in hand. He prompted Jehoiada himself; he incited the hesitating priests (vers. 5-9); he called forth the energy of the people themselves.

3. Co-operation. "All the princes and all the people rejoiced" when they were zealously engaged in the work, and the masons and the carpenters did their part regularly and faithfully (2 Kings 12:15).

4. Liberality. When the chest was made the people responded freely; they all "cast into it until they made an end," until there was "much money," "money in abundance." When an appeal is made to the spontaneous liberality of Christian men, in a cause that is recognized to be good, there is usually a response. If under the Law there was this readiness to give, how much more should there be such forwardness and consecration of substance under the more constraining influences and for the/at higher privileges of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

5. Perseverance under discouragement. The king charged the priests and Levites to "hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not" (ver. 5). But the enthusiastic king was not to be daunted; he would not let this slackness on the part of those who should have been eager and diligent constitute any serious stumbling-block. He used his ingenuity to devise other and more effective measures, and his determination prevailed, as it will prevail. If we allow a good work to be dropped because some of our coadjutors are found wanting, we shall do but little. A holy perseverance under discouragement is the condition of success. As with the leaders, so with those that follow; the workmen must patiently continue until the work is perfected. Then comes the crowning circumstance, viz.:

6. The use of the building for the worship of God (vet, 14). We pass on to that which is far more important -

II. THE RENOVATION OF THE CHRISTIAN CAUSE.

1. It may be that the cause of Christ is quite "out of repair." Some "sons of Athaliah" have come in and done devastating work. Where there was all that satisfied the observant eye of the Divine Lord, there is now a sad decline and decay; there is feebleness where there should be strength, barrenness where there used to be fruitfulness, poverty and paucity where there once was fulness. There are unsightly and blameworthy breaches in the walls. Then there arises in some heart:

2. A strong, compelling eagerness to repair. First it fills one heart, then it is communicated to another and another; finally it moves "all the people," and they resolve that the flagging cause of Christ shall be revived.

3. Then they give themselves to

(1) penitence for past neglect;

(2) prayer for Divine inspiration and guidance;

(3) solemn renewal of first vows of dedication;

(4) active and energetic work.

4. Their reconsecration is crowned with sacred joy, and with a happy restoration to the end for which they were called into existence (ver. 14). All this is based upon -

III. THE RENEWAL OF THE INDIVIDUAL HEART. For if the cause of Christ has declined, it is because the spiritual life of the individual men has been languishing. There has been a cooling of love, a lessening of faith, an abatement of zeal, a lack of devotion. What is needed is:

1. A sense of departure and loss.

2. A humbling of the heart before God.

3. A reconsecration of heart and life to the Redeemer.

4. A patient continuance in well-doing. - C.

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KJV: And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD.

WEB: It happened after this, that Joash was minded to restore the house of Yahweh.