Have you ever been to a revival? Careful how you answer. Most people generally associate revivals with a meeting of some kind. The scheduled gathering of a group of high profile speakers, a few dynamic choirs, a large amount of people (if it has been marketed properly), several powerful worship leaders and an ‘anointed’ word, is usually what constitutes a modern day revival. Many, but not all of these gatherings are little more than dens of entertainment and well meaning, emotionally charged melodious preaching, backed up by a generous organ meant to egg the preacher on. Most would disagree with this assessment of modern day revivals; I can understand that.
On the other hand, there are revivals which are called by individuals who desire to see a move of God. These meetings are saturated with prayer. There may not be any dynamic choirs, but there will be Spirit-filled singing. There may not be any organ during the preaching to pep it up, but there will be conviction. And that’s what we need. Genuine Holy Ghost conviction. It will change everything.
I knew a man years ago who was my first pastor after I became saved. To date, he was the godliest man I’ve ever known; and that was forty years ago. This man would pace the floors during prayer meeting every Tuesday night and other times asking God to send a revival. It was the topic of many of his sermons. It was what the conversation gravitated to if you were talking to him one on one. Now why didn’t he just call or schedule a revival? I believe it was because he understood that as corporate as we want revival to be, it’s still going to happen one soul at a time.
So the question is, what exactly is revival? I’ve heard many definitions, but I know revival is for those who know the Lord. The saved. The born again. It is the bringing back to life of that which was once alive and vibrant; the reigniting of a flame that has gone out. When the child of God no longer senses the power of God, revival is needed. When the child of God no longer allows himself to be led by the Spirit of God, revival is needed.
On any given Sunday morning churches all over are filled to some capacity with people. there reasons for being there are varied. Some are there to worship and praise. Some are there to pray. Nothing wrong with those things. Still others are there simply to meet someone or just to hear the choir sing. But is anyone there to repent? Of all the things we come to church for-I mean to sing, dance, shout and rejoice-does anyone know that what we really need to do is repent? We the people of God are guilty of such things as selfishness, bitterness, dishonesty, pride. There’s malice, fits of rage and we are easily offended. If we, God’s people have such things working in our life, on a nonchalant continual basis, then there is only one thing to say-we need a devil chasing, Holy Ghost, heaven sent revival. We don’t need mere emotional uprisings; not more jumping, spinning or shouting. Not another people or personality driven consecration; no more festivals of the flesh. We need repentance. We need confession. We need brokenness. Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? (Psalm 85:6). Without personal revival, we cannot rejoice in the Lord as we ought.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says it perfectly: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. That’s revival. Let it start in you. Let it start in me. We need to get on the Calvary road and go back to the cross. That’s where it all started; that’s where it must begin again. A revival of repentance.
Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me – break me, melt me, mold me, fill me – Spirit of the living God, fall fresh on me!
That’s the Word! Take it with you. God bless you.