Revive us Again!

You may have seen recent documentation of a revival taking place in Kentucky at Asbury University. According to newscasts, social media, and testimonies, things are happening on the little campus that is only explained by the movement of the Holy Spirit.

On Wednesday, February 8, students gathered for their chapel service in Hughes Auditorium. A handful of attendees decided to stay after chapel for further prayer and worship. They sang. They prayed. They repented. Now a revival has occurred as others have joined them, and the crowd has grown. There has been no prepared speaker, worship, or prayer time. Instead, it is a movement of students crying to the Lord to heal their souls and our land—revival in its purest form. Click Here for more.

Revival.

Revival is defined as a renewal or awakening. Charles Spurgeon said, "Revival is to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired, to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished."

Charles Spurgeon said, "Revival is to live again, to receive again a life which has almost expired, to rekindle into a flame the vital spark which was nearly extinguished."

John Piper said it this way, "In the history of the church, the term revival in its most biblical sense has meant a sovereign work of God in which the whole region of many churches, many Christians has been lifted out of spiritual indifference and worldliness into conviction of sin, earnest desire for more of Christ and His word, boldness in witness, purity of life, lots of conversions, joyful worship, and renewed commitment to missions. You feel God has moved here. And basically revival, then, is God's doing among many Christians at the same time or in the same region, usually what he is doing all the time in individual Christian’s lives as people get saved and individually renewed around the world."

I don't know about you, but I want to be a part of such a revival! I desire to see a revival of my heart and soul where I thirst for Him alone. I want to see God move in me. I want to see Him move in our land.

How does revival come in you and me?

First, I believe we must ask the Lord to search our hearts. Repentance is a part of revival. So, friends, I confess to you my pride, wanting to be more, do more, and be seen more. Lord, forgive. I confess my words and thoughts are often not in line with what God has for me. I am truly a hot mess. An old hymn reads, "Search me, O God, and know my heart today. Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray. See if there be some wicked way in me. Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free." I confess to you and my Lord. I seek His forgiveness, and I am grateful for it. God's word says,

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

Second, I believe we must learn to sit still. Give God the time He deserves to speak into our hearts and lives. God invites us to “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." It is hard. I get it. However. as I sit still and give God the time, He speaks to my soul. He revives and moves within our lives. For example, the students at Asbury have gathered for 120 hours, waiting on God. That is humbling.

Be encouraged that God is on the move. His Holy Spirit comes as we seek to repent and call out to Him. God is on the campus of Ashbury University, and God is here with you and me. Let us seek His face and turn from our sins.

Adrian Rogers once said. "Study the history of revival. God has always sent a revival on the darkest days. Oh, for a mighty sweeping revival today." I believe He is here. Repent and call on Him. Let us be still and know that He is God. He loves us and wants to revive His people. Sweet sister, let us join the sweeping wave!

"Oh, for a mighty sweeping revival today."