When Matt Rhule arrived at Nebraska in 2023 to rebuild the once-proud Husker football team, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. The first step toward rebuilding an organization begins with a desire to change. After struggling for nearly two decades following the firing of head coach Frank Solich, the Husker Nation fans have more than enough desire for change. While the rebuild began slow with two road losses, the first signs they were on the right path were evident after four games. They ranked second nationally against the run and fifth in the Big Ten in total defense.

While rebuilding a great football program is important, nothing compares to the spiritual renewal of God’s people. That, too, begins with the ability to access where you are currently and if there is a desire to change. Even when it seems impossible, God’s Word can spark a revival. Just seven years after a war for independence, the spiritual state in the United States was far worse than many realize today. The population of those who attended church in the 1770s had dropped from about 50 percent to 5 percent by the 1790s. During the early 19th century, the Second Great Awakening reshaped an America that had fallen into immorality and lost its way.

2 Kings 22-23 – Spiritual Reformation

When King Josiah found the Word of God, he had a desire for the spiritual renewal of his people. It began with him seeing that the temple and worship of God needed to be reformed. He removed the pagan symbols from the temple. He rebuilt the nation by taking God’s Word seriously and not settling for the spiritual status quo. He was concerned with honoring God and bringing every area of the kingdom into conformity with God’s will.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete see themselves in the light of God’s Word and respond with repentance and obedience.

Bible Memory Verse – “For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10  (LSB)