Page 12 - March 2025 - Truth & Tidings

evival starts with the individual. we had to respond without delay. It was
The conviction underlying this truly a matter of life or death. Time was
Rconcluding article is that spiritual of the essence. Rushing to the bedside,
revival is vital for every one of us. “Revive we administered CPR – cardiopulmonary
Thy work, O Lord” really means “Revive resuscitation – to keep the heart pumping,
me!” Without constant personal revival blood circulating and oxygen perfusing
and renewal, we are doomed to medioc- the vital organs.
rity. Gently cruising home to heaven in Sometimes believers allow themselves
a self-contented manner is not what the to become so spiritually weak and un-
Lord envisages for any one of us. Indeed, healthy that their revival, or resuscitation,
spiritual ambition should not diminish, is an acute emergency. They may continue
even in old age. We recall Caleb’s plea pretending to be spiritual, but their hearts
at 85 years of age: “Give me this moun- are far from the Lord. God knows, and
tain!” (Jos 14:12). Not everyone may be often they themselves know, that their
1
as strong physically as Caleb was, but condition is in extremis. They will not lose
in spirit, at least, we can still seek to rise salvation, for every true believer is safely
higher. The sad alternative is to sink lower. and securely held in His hand, but they
New Testament Christianity knew can lose so much else, both now and in
nothing of self-centered comfort or ease. eternity. To tolerate sin in our lives and
Reading intelligently through the book not judge it and forsake it leads to more
of the Acts leaves one feeling distinctly sin and compromise. We lose our joy,
inadequate and uncomfortable. Those peace and confidence in God. We can go
early believers put first things first despite on to lose our testimony before others. We
many challenges, frequent opposition may lose our health and even our lives;
and suffering. They were prepared to this solemn reality was seen in the as-
give their all, even their lives, to spread sembly in Corinth (1Co 11:30). Ultimately,
the gospel and bring glory to His name. the believer will be in heaven, but when
They did not waste their lives with trivia. their service is fully assessed, a wasted,
They were exhorted and encouraged to lazy and self-indulgent life will forfeit an
grow, to increase, and to abound more eternal reward.
and more – more likeness to Christ, more The Great Physician is the only one truly
love, more holiness, more diligence, more able to minister to the urgent need of the
grace, more fruit and more joy. backslider. While godly friends may help,
the greatest need for the erring soul is to
Emergency Revival return to the Saviour’s side in confession
When working in the cardiac ward of a and repentance, without delay. Our Lord
hospital, we prepared for any emergency. gives His erring children a second chance;
When a patient suddenly developed a failure is not final. “A bruised reed shall he
cardiac arrest and the alarm sounded, not break, and the smoking flax shall he
not quench” (Isa 42:3). He is willing and
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the able to welcome the wandering back and
KJV. restore their joy and usefulness.

76 TRUTH kTidings March 2025