Recently, our church held a weekend of revival services with
a special speaker. Revivals are not a new idea. The Old and New Testaments
record many accounts of times when there was a renewal of religious or
spiritual life after a period of decline. Over the years in the U.S.A., several
great, nationwide revivals have occurred, including the First and Second Great
Awakenings and the Jesus Movement.
As the Bible and history show, we all go through spiritually dry times. In several Psalms, David shares, “Like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for You.” (Psalm 63:1b) “As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1) David needed revival!
Revival is characterized by a greater awareness of God's presence and a renewed vow to put our faith into practice. While special music and challenging sermons can move us toward revival, God's Holy Spirit is Who stirs hearts towards greater reverence for God, encourages honest repentance, and rekindles our commitment to spread the gospel to those who do not yet know Jesus. The Holy Spirit initiates and sustains true revival, not human effort or emotional manipulation.
What does Scripture say about how our spiritual fervor can be restored?
*2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people, who are called by My name,
humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn
from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their
sin and heal their land.”
*1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, God is faithful
and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
*Jeremiah 29:12 “You will seek Me and find Me when you search
for Me with all your heart.”
*Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call
on Him while He is near. Forsake wicked ways and unrighteous thoughts;
Return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He
will freely pardon.”
Going through a spiritual dry spell? It happens to all of us, even the giants of the Bible! What can we do? Pray! With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can root out sin in our lives, draw closer to Jesus, and passionately reach out to others with the great news that Jesus loves and saves!
Be encouraged!
