Who wants a revival? I know that when I ask that question almost everybody would say, “I do!” For those that do not we may have to look down the road at a different blog post on why would you not want a revival? To begin this blog, I have included the Webster’s Dictionary definitions of the word revival. One states, “renewed religious interest,” and another from Webster states revival as, “the restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract).” In looking at these two definitions I personally do not find myself getting too excited about the first one. What actually is a “renewed religious interest?” Maybe if that is what you were thinking of when I asked my original question about a revival I understand if you were one of the people with a lackadaisical attitude toward a revival. The second definition excites me and that is where I want to spend some of our time during this blog.
“Restoration of force, validity, or effect (as to a contract)” fills me with images of something exciting going on. A renewal or an excitement that permeates everything. Of course I am not talking about a contract such as the contract you have with your cable or phone company, in which all it states is that we pay a price, the service may or may not work all the time, and the price may go up unbeknownst to us. I am being tongue in cheek here, but I think I write some truth in regard to a utility contract. What is exciting about a contract? Well permit me to share that the word contract also can be said to mean covenant. Now you may see where I am heading. When I hear the word covenant, I think of one statement. The statement is, “I am your God, you are my people.” That statement is known as the Abrahamic Covenant, and it was stated by God to, for, and with His people. Do we want a revival now? Do we need a revival in our lives so that we can see clearly the covenant that God has made with His people?
Revival has been laughed at in the Bible. Nehemiah 4:2 finds the work of the Jewish people being mocked by those who though themselves to be in authority. The specific words say, “Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble, even the burned ones?” (Nehemiah 4:2 NASB). They were reviving and rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem as God had called them. We also find revival in God’s Word as the psalmist in Psalm 119:37 is pleading with God to “revive me in your ways.” If our thought of revival is placed on God, His desires, His character, His truth, His righteousness, and His promise then does the thought of revival stoke the fire in us that just maybe has been only smoldering as of late? Are we thinking that maybe a personal revival in our relationship with the Lord is long overdue? Are we thinking that just maybe a corporate revival by the people in our church as to getting back into the Great Commission long overdue? Are we thinking that a revival of the church that Jesus left us, and the Holy Spirit has provided us the power to grow is long overdue in going into the world with the only truth that matters, Jesus Christ? Is He not “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6)?
WHO WANTS A REVIVAL?