Revival

In many Christian circles, evangelicals in particular, is found an overbearing desire and claim for revival. The desire to be revived is not bad or wrong. However, the way we go about it, I believe, is completely wrong and bordering on madness.

Often we hear about it being talked about, prayed for, pleaded for, coerced, and claimed with no discernible difference in a person or community. People chase after it. They attempt to ‘speak it’ into existence, as if that were possible.

Revival, the act of being revived, is an intentional act. It isn’t simply brought about by claiming it, singing the right songs, saying the right words, praying the right prayers, or ‘creating an atmosphere’ for it to happen. It is simply going to the source, reaching for the very thing that can revive.

If you were parched, needing a reviving drink of water, what would you do? Would you just sing about it? Would you just sit down where you are and simply shout for someone to bring you a drink? Would you need to create an atmosphere where someone would want to bring you a drink? No, those are ineffective methods for quenching your thirst and becoming revived. You would instead go to the tap, to the store, to the stream, and you would simply drink and become revived.

As Believers in the Water of Life - Christ Jesus - if we want to be revived, we simply need to come to Him and drink. God through his Word says “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.” (Isaiah 55:1) Jesus also says “...whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” (John 4:14). In the final revelation of Jesus Christ, God proclaimed “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life.” (Revelation 21:6).

Come freely. Come quickly to Him who offers you revival. Come as you are. Come drink freely. Be filled even if you have nothing to give but a poor, parched spirit. Be revived by God and then share with others needing revival.

Be encouraged today. God bless.