In a world marred by sin and marked by suffering God’s people must constantly be reminded of the admonition: “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). The thought life of a Christian should be Godward. There is always a temptation to become consumed with the ruin around us and forget that revival is still possible!
How often do you think about revival? It is a regular topic of conversation with other believers? Do you consistently pray with a heart to experience spiritual awakening?
There are many things that can hold back revival. Roadblocks like pride, unbelief, and unconfessed sin always hinder the work of the Holy Spirit. But one of the things that prevents us from seeing revival is mere negligence. In a busy world we have become content to live and labor without it. Leonard Ravenhill said, “As long as we are content to live without revival, we will.”
God begins to work in us and around us to “stir the nest” – to cause us to seek Him. Have you sensed the push and pull of revival? Circumstances and desperate need are divine prods. This is the push of revival. On the other hand, the Spirit of God begins to create in us a hunger and thirst for more. This is the pull of revival.
A loving Lord uses secondary things to drive us to Him and works in us personally to draw us to Himself. Yet there must also be the pursuit of revival. This is our responsibility.
We must respond to His work and Word. In the words of Song of Solomon 1:4, “Draw me, we will run after thee…” He seeks us and we must seek Him.
Recently I was asked to sit down for a brief interview on the subject of revival. I enjoyed the discussion and it has caused me to think more and more about the reality of spiritual awakenings. I do not have all the answers about revival. (No one does! There is a mysterious and miraculous work of the Holy Spirit when awakenings come.) But I do have a longing to see real revival and I know many others do as well. The friends who produced the interview did so in 7 segments with the aim of helping people meditate on the subject.
We are excited about sharing these brief videos on our YouTube channel. The first posted yesterday and a new one will be available each Thursday over the next few weeks. Please plan to join us for these discussions and share them with other believers.
Our desire is that the conversation will do more than inform the mind. I hope it will stir your heart to seek revival in your own life. It is one thing to talk to one another about the need and quite another to talk to God about His supply. May God use these meditations to lead us all to sincere, fervent, private prayer.
I simply think that turmoil in my own denomination ( SBC) is brought on by having a limited vision( where there is no vision, the people perish ) and a body of believers who simply thinks it’s someone else job go present Christ to their neighbors. Pastor Pauley- thank you for setting my mind towards heaven. I neglected revival too long, within my own heart, for everything God has set before the day.
Prentiss Yeates
We all allow too many things (good things sometimes) to become a substitute for seeking the Lord. So many distractions. Only God.