NOTHING ELSE WILL DO!

Something very significant has been on my mind in the last several months. There is no subject I feel more strongly about for the lives of Christians these days than this one I am writing about today! This subject is, SPIRITUAL REVIVAL, RENEWAL, AWAKENING, VISITATION FROM GOD; it does not matter so much what we call it. What really matters is that it must take place and now! Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, a strong Messianic Jew, from the priestly line of Aaron, a prophet, evangelist, and pastor of a congregation in New Jersey, as well as a prolific author of books which are a must read, says America's only hope for survival is a spiritual revival! Nothing else will do! Several other Christian leaders are speaking of the necessity of spiritual renewal too.

You know, so many of us have never witnessed a spiritual revival! In fact, many people, even Christians, do not even know what a spiritual revival means. Even many pastors have not witnesssed, or experienced a true revival and do not know the meaning of it. The words "Revival", "Spiritual Renewal", and "Spiritual Awakening" are foreign to us. Only the Lord knows how long it has been since these words were spoken in our churches or the subject preached or taught. Sadly, it seems that these words have disappeared from our vocabulary, and the need for spiritual renewal has been relegated to a place of non-importance or non-relevance! Could it be we are too busy to care, too consumed with secular living, too wrapped up in the things of this world, too occupied with laying up treasures on earth or too earthly minded to have any serious spiritual desire or hunger for a genuine outpouring of God's Spirit upon us?

The Psalmist expressed his desire and yearning for a real and mighty manifestation of God's reviving presence when he asked God, "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalm 85:6) In another verse, he pleaded, "Restore us again, O God of our salvation. . . ." (Psalm 85:4) It never has been and is not now a matter of whether or not God is available, willing, and even desirous of renewing His People; rather it IS a matter of His People being available, willing and longing for a genuine, powerful and life-changing outpouring of God's Holy Spirit in revival. Revival in the Church (God's People) begins with you and me seeking it!

What do the terms "revival", "spiritual renewal", and "awakening" mean? Here are the definitions:

1) "Revival" - in the Biblical context, revival refers to a renewed spiritual awakening or fervor, characterized by a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a deeper love, loyalty and commitment to God, His Word and His Will! It's a time of renewed focus on personal faith, repentance, and a purposeful turning back to God after a period of spiritual dormancy or decline. It is not just about external displays of enthusiasm or zeal, but a deep and earnest personal transformation of the inner spirit.

2) "Spiritual Renewal" - means revival, revitalization, rebirth, transformation of heart and mind, and rejuvenation. It means a fresh start, a resurgence of spiritual strength, vitality and a restoration of active faith in God, in His Word, and in His Will. It is a return to that original spirit of passion for the things that pertain to God and His Kingdom. It means to "Seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness."

(Matthew 6:33)

3) "Spiritual Awakening" - means a profound shift in awareness and understanding, creating a greater sense of purpose, a new perspective on life, a deepened world-view, sense of beliefs and values. It is a realignment of our will to the will, plan and purpose of God. By awakening and renewing our earlier devotion and dedication to God, we rekindle the flame on the altars where we once have known God and communed with Him!

After reviewing and understanding the meaning of these important terms, I truly believe that since the Church is people and most assuredly the people of God, spiritual revival is the greatest need of Christians today!

Before there can come a real spiritual revival, renewal and awakening, and a prolonged time of spiritual refreshing from the midst of His Presence, there must of necessity be contrition of heart, even a deep sorrow of the soul for the extended indifference toward God, toward His Word, His Will and His Glory! There must be genuine repentance from the deep grief we've caused the Holy Spirit. We must be bent and broken sufficiently to feel the hurt which our coldness, stubbornness and impenitence have inflicted upon the heart of Jesus! Real revival is not a process, but the outcome or result of the freedom with which we permit the Holy Spirit to rule, reign and operate in and through our lives.

Are you and I genuine candidates for spiritual revival; do we stand in dire need ot it? How is our spiritual temperature; hot or cold or lukewarm for Jesus? William Mackay in 1867 recognized his own spiritual drought, and surrendered anew to Jesus' Lordship and penned a hymn in which he rejoiced in the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, and renewed his praise to God for personal salvation. The hymn is "Revive Us Again" and the lyrics to the refrain are: "Hallelujah, Thine The Glory! Hallelujah, Amen! Hallelujah, Thine The Glory! Revive Us Again!"

Let's look deeper into the Scripture regarding spiritual revival and renewal!

First, we find The Revival Purpose! We know that God purposes to revive His People! "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their sinful ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin. . . ." (II Chronicles 7:14) God has His commands for us to obey, and His expectations of us and then note His promise! God also purposes to renew His presence in us. God assured Moses, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14) Another purpose of God is to reveal His purity and impart His holiness in us. "For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man, but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you." (I Thessalonians 4:7-8) God purposes to release His power in and through us. "And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. . .until you are clothed with power from on high." (Luke 24:49) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. . . ." (Acts 1:8) Thus, we see God purposes to revive His people, to bless us with His presence, to purify our hearts unto holiness and provide us with His power!

Second, Scripture reveals The Revival Plea! As noted earlier, the Psalmist pled, ". . .Revive Us Again." (Psalm 85:6) Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian Captivity with a job to do. He supervised, under great opposition, the rebuilding of the wall around the city. As the task was finishing, all the people gathered at the Water Gate with a united plea. Their earnest request was that the Book of the Law of Moses be brought out to the assembly to be read aloud. Let's remember, these were God's Chosen People who had just endured seventy years of captivity in a foreign country SPECIFICALLY because they had turned away from God's Word and from His purposes for them as His People. "And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest (scribe) brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women, and ALL who could understand what they heard. . .And he read from it facing the square. . .from early morning until midday, in the presence. . .(of the entire assembly of people). And the ears of ALL the people were attentive to the Book of the Law." (Nehemiah 8:1-3) "And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God , and ALL the people answered 'Amen, Amen,' lifting up their hands and worshiped the LORD with their faces on the ground." (Nehemiah 8:6) "For ALL the people wept as they heard the words of the Law." (Nehemiah 8:9)

I want to say this is the essence of spiritual revival and renewal! And note this, all they had was the Book of the Law of Moses! We have the totality of Holy Scripture; God's message of love, grace, mercy, forgiveness of sin, salvation and eternal life! Would we stand to our feet for most of the day to hear the Word of God (the Bible) read and end up with our faces on the ground weeping, praising and glorifying the great God? On the very next day, "the heads of the fathers' houses (heads of families) of ALL the people, with the priests and Levites, came together to Ezra the scribe in order to study the words of the Law." (Nehemiah 8:13) We see here the earnest plea for God's Word, resulting in genuine spiritual awakening and revival! Can you hear this large group of people saying, "Revive Us Again!?" When Saul was on his way to Damacus to persecute the followers of Jesus, then Jesus appeared to him which caused him to be blind for three days. When Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" Jesus then began the inner transformation of Saul. Saul responded to Jesus' revelation to him, "And he (Saul) trembling and astonished said, 'Lord, what will you have me to do?' " (Acts 9:6) True spiritual renewal involves a sincere desire to know what God wants us to do, with a steadfast commitment to obey Him! A hymn written by Elizabeth Printess in 1856 includes these words, "More love to Thee, O Christ, More love to Thee. Hear Thou the prayer I make,, On bended knee; this is my earnest PLEA; More love, O Christ, to Thee, More love to Thee." Our earnest plea must be for a greater love for Jesus and a sincere, intense desire for personal spiritual awakening!

Third, there is The Revival Proof! Here is some proof (signs) of true revival straight from Scripture!

1) Separation from evil. ". . .the people, the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, and all who have separated themselves from. . . (the evil around them) and to the Law of God. . . and entered. . .into an oath to walk in God's Law. . .and to obey all the commandments of the LORD our Lord and His rules and His statutes." (Nehemiah 10: 28-29)

2) Dedication to the LORD. "Enter into an oath to walk in God's Law", etc. (Nehemiah 10:29)

3) Cessation from compromise. "We will not give our daughters to other peoples or take their daughters for our sons." (Nehemiah 10:30) To intermarry with ungodly, evil people would definitely be a compromise for the people of Israel. Today, we must avoid all forms of spiritual compromise! Accommodation to spiritual compromise is easy, but a steadfast commitment to God's purposes may be hard, but it is definitely involved in spiritual renewal! The Apostle Paul exhorted the Christians in Rome to avoid all spiritual compromise. ". . .watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. . . ." (Romans 16:17-20)

4) Faithfulness in service to the Lord. "We also take on ourselves the obligation . . .the service of the house of our God. . .we will not neglect the house of our God." (Nehemiah 10:32-30)

There are definitely other important proofs of true revival, such as the renewal of hunger for God's Word, a renewed commitment to and practice of consistent prayer, the renewing of our purpose to be in God's house for worship with other believers, a renewal of commitment to tithe our income to God and His kingdom interests, a deepening of our commitment to share the gospel of Jesus with people who have yet to come to personal faith in Jesus, and to the renewal of our priorities that honor God and are in total agreement with His Word, etc.

When we are sufficiently penitent to despise our sin, to disown it and to depart from it, then will we answer our Father in heaven with David of old, "You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to you, 'Your face, LORD do I seek!' " (Psalm 27:8) THEN, God will hear, bless us for seeking Him above all else and we will respond in life-changing reverence and obedience to His Word! THEN, and ONLY Then, will the refining and empowering flames of spiritual revival set our hearts ablaze for God!

What are we waiting for? Let's seek it!!!