Properly defined, to revive is to make alive, preserve, save, or restore someone or something to an intended position or place.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into
the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for
that all have sinned:" Romans 5:12
When man fell to sin in Genesis, the word revival was born and has since been our most urgent need. Revival then must surely be the mainspring of grace!
The sons of Korah cried out: “Wilt THOU not revive us again: that THY people may rejoice in THEE?” Psalm 85:6
Upon perceiving the
imminent judgment of GOD, the prophet Habakkuk pled:
"O LORD, I have heard THY speech, and was
afraid: O LORD, revive THY work in the midst of the years, in
the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."
Habakkuk 3:2
The LORD offers this eternal promise through Isaiah as the
tremors of judgment were evident in his day:
"For thus saith the high and
lofty ONE that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the
high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble
spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive
the heart of the contrite ones." Isaiah 57:15
In spite of all the rhetoric, our world is not in political, economic, environmental, or any other crisis, it is in a sin crisis, a real and deadly freefall away from GOD. May I suggest that as in Habakkuk's day, the wrath of GOD has begun to encircle our camp, thus to pray short of revival in these last days of perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1-5) is the splint & bandage approach to real spiritual trauma!
The "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN" (Daniel 5) is on our wall ... will we sober up in time?
The Bible is clear that
as GOD'S people go, so goes the nation they inhabit:
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin
is a reproach to any people." Proverbs 14:34
"Blessed is the nation whose GOD is the LORD:" Psalms 33:12
"Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy
is that people, whose GOD is the LORD." Psalms 144:15
Doubtless our Forefathers would be enraged of where American politics and policy hath brought us given their blood and sacrifice. http://www.wallbuilders.org
Understanding all this, revival need not be so elusive. We find seven keys to unlock GOD'S will and desire in this most urgent matter amidst the letters to the seven churches of Asia Minor preserved in Revelation 2 & 3. It is my prayer that these simple, yet eternally profound truths will serve to "awake to righteousness" (1 Corinthians 15:34) those of us who know HIM as our KING and then move us to a national awakening of righteousness before it is too late.
Tears, beloved, are the irrigation of revival and like the Puritans of long ago, let us pray:
‘LORD, send in the tears’