Renewal can be defined as “the act of starting again or starting to do something again; the act of making an official document, agreement, or rule continue for more time; the act or process of making changes to something in order to improve it so that it becomes more successful; a situation in which something begins again after having stopped for a period of time; a process in which something improves or is improved after being in not so good condition; the act of making an agreement continue for an extra period of time after it has come to an end”.
Other definitions of renewal are “to make like new, or restore to freshness, vigour, or perfection.
To make new spiritually, i.e regenerate.
To restore to existence, i.e revive.
To make extensive changes in, i.e rebuild.
To do again, i.e repeat.
To begin again, i.e resume.
To replace or replenish”.
From the creation of the earth, God granted all botanical and zoological entities He created the opportunity for renewal. The plants were given the capability for renewal after their own kind (Gen. 1: 11-13). The animals were given the capability for renewal after their own kind (Gen. 1: 20-25). Humans were not only given the capability for renewal after their own kind, but also to replenish the whole earth (Gen. 1: 26-28).
This renewal capability has kept the earth going, so that it has not become extinct. If the power for renewal was not operational on the earth, living organisms would have phased out, leaving behind only elements that has no life.
God expects man, especially His children to live a life of renewal. He desires that our lives should progressively gets better (Prov. 4:18). He does not want us to be stagnant or dormant in life and living (Rev. 3:16). Neither does He wants us to retrogress or backslide in the way we live (Luke 9:68; Heb. 10:38).
Over time, man has mastered the capability for renewal, based on the blessing of God upon Adam and Eve, such that Man’s new innovations are always better than the previous ones. However, for those who God grants personal assistance for renewal, their capability to function will even be greatly enhanced and will definitely depict amazing results.
The Israelites are a special breed of people to God. While all nations, tribes and tongues in the whole world were creations of God, the Israelites have been granted the elevated status of God’s firstborn (Ex. 4: 22).
They were and are still highly regarded by God based on the covenant God made with their progenitor – Abraham (Heb. 6:13-14).
But a time came in the life of the Israelites that they became slaves in a foreign land, though this has been foretold by God (Gen. 15: 13-14). They suffered greatly, and were forced to do rigorous work for many years, until God sent Moses to deliver them from that captivity. They then journeyed in the wilderness for 40 years, until they arrived at a place called Gilgal.
By this time, almost all those who were over 20 years of age when they left Egypt had died. Miriam, Aaron and Moses have also died. Those who were under 20 years old when they left Egypt that got to this point had no self esteem, no self worth nor self respect. They had been born into slavery, and their parents had died along the way, and were buried in unmarked graves. Life had become worthless to them.
It was at Gilgal that God granted these Israelites assistance for renewal of courage, self worth and self respect, just like their ancestors had been before the Egyptian captivity. Those who had not been opportune to be circumcised were done. Their covenant of God’s firstborn was renewed. Their confidence in God of their fathers was restored. The surrounding nations became afraid of them again. This Divine assistance for renewal actually prepared them for entering into their Divine inheritance – Canaan (Jos. 5:1-12).
God has impressed it upon my spirit that He is granting us Divine assistance for renewal in this season. The promises and covenants that God has made with us will be given the power of renewal for timely performance. The blessings and favours of God upon us shall be given the power of renewal to continue proliferating. The things we have done before, that have been beneficial to us shall be granted assistance for renewal of occurrence by God. The things which are working, but can get better shall be give power of renewal for excellence. The things that have stopped, but are yet needed shall be granted the grace of renewal to resume.
God also wants us to carefully identify, restart and re-do things that have worked well in our lives, in our families, and in our Assembly. The Lord says He will assist us to replace certain things and to replenish other things as the case may be. May all these and many other works of renewal be wrought in our lives and in our midst by God in Jesus mighty name.
