Revival starts with the individual. The conviction underlying this concluding article is that spiritual revival is vital for every one of us. “Revive Thy work, O Lord” really means “Revive me!” Without constant personal revival and renewal, we are doomed to mediocrity. Gently cruising home to heaven in a self-contented manner is not what the Lord envisages for any one of us. Indeed, spiritual ambition should not diminish, even in old age. We recall Caleb’s plea at 85 years of age: “Give me this mountain!” (Jos 14:12).1 Not everyone may be as strong physically as Caleb was, but in spirit, at least, we can still seek to rise higher. The sad alternative is to sink lower.
New Testament Christianity knew nothing of self-centered comfort or ease. Reading intelligently through the book of the Acts leaves one feeling distinctly inadequate and uncomfortable. Those early believers put first things first despite many challenges, frequent opposition and suffering. They were prepared to give their all, even their lives, to spread the gospel and bring glory to His name. They did not waste their lives with trivia. They were exhorted and encouraged to grow, to increase, and to abound more and more – more likeness to Christ, more love, more holiness, more diligence, more grace, more fruit and more joy.
Emergency Revival
When working in the cardiac ward of a hospital, we prepared for any emergency. When a patient suddenly developed a cardiac arrest and the alarm sounded, we had to respond without delay. It was truly a matter of life or death. Time was of the essence. Rushing to the bedside, we administered CPR – cardiopulmonary resuscitation – to keep the heart pumping, blood circulating and oxygen perfusing the vital organs.
Sometimes believers allow themselves to become so spiritually weak and unhealthy that their revival, or resuscitation, is an acute emergency. They may continue pretending to be spiritual, but their hearts are far from the Lord. God knows, and often they themselves know, that their condition is in extremis. They will not lose salvation, for every true believer is safely and securely held in His hand, but they can lose so much else, both now and in eternity. To tolerate sin in our lives and not judge it and forsake it leads to more sin and compromise. We lose our joy, peace and confidence in God. We can go on to lose our testimony before others. We may lose our health and even our lives; this solemn reality was seen in the assembly in Corinth (1Co 11:30). Ultimately, the believer will be in heaven, but when their service is fully assessed, a wasted, lazy and self-indulgent life will forfeit an eternal reward.
The Great Physician is the only one truly able to minister to the urgent need of the backslider. While godly friends may help, the greatest need for the erring soul is to return to the Saviour’s side in confession and repentance, without delay. Our Lord gives His erring children a second chance; failure is not final. “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench” (Isa 42:3). He is willing and able to welcome the wandering back and restore their joy and usefulness.
Let us mention briefly seven scriptural features that are relevant to personal revival:
1. Reassessment
Nehemiah undertook a thorough and honest assessment of the situation in Jerusalem (Neh 2:12-18). A ruined and defenceless city required urgent attention. In the same way, we must be bold enough to ask ourselves the hard questions: Is my love for Christ becoming cold? Is there unconfessed sin in my life? Am I giving the Lord my best? Such questions require honest answers.
2. Repentance
Confession leads to repentance – a change of mind and heart leading to a change in direction. Turning away from self and sin should lead us to turn back to Christ and draw near to Him. This is as necessary for a believer as for an unbeliever. We overhear Ezra’s sorrowful prayer after national sin came to light: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens” (Ezr 9:6).
3. Return
Under the leadership of Zerubbabel, almost 50,000 Jews left Babylon and headed for Jerusalem and Judah, God’s appointed place (Ezr 2:1,64-65). In the story of the prodigal, to put things right he had to return home where his tender-hearted father was waiting for him (Luk 15:20). Little is accomplished when we seek to run away from our problems and responsibilities and hide somewhere else. This hinders full restoration.
4. Reverence for the Word
In every revival, the centrality of God’s Word was reestablished. It was not only reread but also obeyed. Josiah commanded that the rediscovered book of the law was to be read aloud to the people (2Ch 34:30-31). When Ezra read and spoke from a newly erected pulpit, the people stood for hours, listening attentively to every word (Neh 8:1-8). For ourselves, every morning should find us alone with God, seeking guidance from the Word and praying for strength to obey it.
5. Reconstruction
Resuming useful service for God may happen slowly, but it must happen. “Repent, and do the first works” was the call to the Ephesian church (Rev 2:5). The returning Babylonian captives labored long and hard to rebuild the temple as well as the walls and gates of the city. While brothers and sisters have different public or private roles in local church life, there is work for all to do. Do not be a spectator; be a helper.
6. Resistance
The devil will try to divert any believer who seeks a closer walk with God. The book of the Acts records a recurrent pattern of external antagonism and internal friction that threatened to derail the progress of God’s work. On a personal level, be prepared for opposition, often from unexpected sources. Keep your eyes fixed on Christ and do not look back.
7. Rejoicing
When we return to the Lord and stay close by His side, we rediscover the fulness of His joy (Ezr 6:22). There is nothing that can compare with this. Nehemiah declared that “the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh 8:10), and in those days “the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off” (12:43). We too can “rejoice in the Lord alway” (Php 4:4). Do not wait; enjoy His presence, power and provision today.
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV.
