“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6).
It seems as if Christians are growing weaker in faith. In recent years, the Bible has been thought of as an outdated book that should be revised to keep up with the attitudes of modern times. The problem with that is the Bible is God’s word, and He never changes. People seem to think that God has changed His mind about sin, but He hasn’t. Even many Christians prefer sin over God’s ways. We need to conform to Him, not Him to us.
God is never surprised by the ideas of men, and He tells us history in advance so we can be forewarned. It’s up to us to learn from prophecy. Jesus dictated seven letters to John which were to be sent to seven churches. These letters were history in advance with each letter describing an age of the church.
To the church in Philadelphia, He wrote, “I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name” (Revelation 3:8).
This letter describes the time period known as the Great Awakening. People began to take Scripture seriously and reach out to share the Gospel. There was a revival of sorts among Christians, and God was pleased. A door was opened for evangelism and missionary work, but God knew they faced opposition. He also knew that they didn’t deny His name.
As this age grew old, the next age began. We are living in that age today…Laodicea. It describes a group of very weak believers who are lukewarm in their faith. They feel they have all they need in the riches of the world and have no passion for God’s truth. They will compromise His truth rather than not be politically correct. Jesus was not at all happy, and this type of “faith” makes Him sick.
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:16).
This group, as a whole, has rejected God’s truth, and their faith is in the world. There is hope. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me“ (Revelation 3:20).
He is knocking at the door of every heart. Will you open that door and let Him in? Let Him revive the Holy Spirit in you. Say to Jesus, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24). Revive me again.
We cannot hold fast to our sins and expect God to continue to bless us. Everybody receives blessings from God, such as sunshine and air, but if we use our time each day to live sinfully, He will spue us out of His mouth like so much lukewarm water.
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14-16).
We do live in times that challenge our faith. We have to choose whether to worship the god of this world and his demons or to worship the God of all creation who loves us. This isn’t a new choice but an important one.
Joshua challenged the Israelites to make a choice whether to worship the demons of Egypt or to worship God, who had parted the Red Sea, provided manna daily for food, and brought water from a rock for them to drink.
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).
Every household needs a man like Joshua to lead it. Joshua wasn’t ashamed of his faith and knew where his strength came from. He was a leader who encouraged the Israelites to revive their faith in God.
How do we bring revival to our heart and soul? We put God first. We study His word and don’t compromise His truth.
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
We can’t walk with one foot in the righteousness of God and the other foot in the world of sin and evil. God has always given humans a choice. His ways are the better ways to follow. From ancient times, He has given humans directions to a better way of life, but from the time of Adam and Eve, people make poor choices. We need to stand firm on God’s word and walk in His ways.
“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein” (Jeremiah 6:16).
God has done everything to give us eternal life with Him. Jesus, who is God, entered His creation. He lived a perfect life, showing love to all but never accepting the sin that destroys life. Still, most people say, “…We will not walk therein.” Humans always seem to want His blessings but not His rules. That attitude will never bring revival to your soul.
“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2).
We are living in a time of great spiritual unrest. Evil is becoming stronger, but God is above all and will grant revival to anyone who seeks Him. Repent of the sin that has a hold on you and allow God’s mercy and love to fall on you and cleanse you through and through. Let revival into your life.
Pride is a sin. Pride causes us to think that human ways are the best ways. Pride turns us away from God’s truth. Pride hampers revival. It was pride that caused Satan to fall, bringing evil into God’s perfect creation. Pride will always be opposed to God.
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
What is the opposite of pride? Humility. God created all things. That means heaven, earth, animals, trees, and people. Don’t be fooled to think that evolution gave us all the amazing things we see and things we can’t see.
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Faith is a key to revival. With faith, you won’t be confused by the ways of the world and will trust God. I would encourage you to read and study Romans chapter 1. Rejecting God as the creator will bring His judgment, and we see that in our world today.
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
Pride and sin cannot bring revival. Seek the Lord with all your heart, and let revival begin in your heart today. Share the Gospel with others. What stops you? Pride? Fear? Shame? Because men and women throughout time have stood strong in faith, we have Scripture today. These amazing people were beheaded, crucified, persecuted, and rejected. In spite of personal danger, they shared their faith and stood firmly and unashamedly upon God’s word.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
Paul said, “I am not ashamed,” meaning that he individually was not ashamed. It can be easier to have a group around you when you speak up for Christ, but if you individually aren’t ashamed, then speak up. You’ll find that the more you speak up, the more you will feel revived by God’s Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that allows revival in us. This was a promise from Jesus as He ascended into Heaven. The disciples had asked the Risen Lord about restoring the kingdom to Israel. Jesus told them it wasn’t for them to know. It will happen, but all of us must keep working for the Kingdom until all God’s prophecies are fulfilled. Jesus told them that they had a mission and would receive the Holy Spirit to help them.
“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Stop being ashamed, open the door to your heart, and allow the Holy Spirit to revive you.
Heavenly Father, help me to be humble and allow revival in my heart. May I allow the Holy Spirit to be my guide as I study Your word. Open my mouth to speak Your truth. Revive me again, O Lord. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.
God bless you all
Nathele Graham
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).