Intention:
What
is revival? Isaiah 44 gives us a beautiful description of what God
longs to do for his people and a picture of what revival is like.
Revival is like drought breaking rain falling upon a parched and barren
land. Within days the brown landscape is turned to lush green.
Scripture:
"For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams." (Isaiah 44:3-4 NIV)
Reflection:
This
passage tells us three things about revival. First, revival is not
worked up but sent down. It doesn't arise from the normal activities of
church life. It comes down like rain when God chooses to send it. We can
and must prepare the way (like the farmer prepares the soil), but only
God can send revival.
Second,
revival is not just showers of blessing but a flood. It is a mighty
soul-drenching outpouring of his Spirit upon his people. It is God
taking over his Church and saturating us with his powerful presence. How
else will the streams of living water flow to unbelievers around us?
Drawing water from half-empty wells will not do. We need this
overwhelming flood to overflow our lives with love for others. This is
what happened on the Day of Pentecost. Those first disciples could not
contain the love and testimony bubbling up from joy-filled hearts. And
this has been the marks of revivals ever since.
Third,
revival will always impact youth. This has been a consistent feature of
revivals throughout history. Young people have always been at the heart
of every great move of God - a rising generation claimed for God.
But
for revival to come there are preparations to make. God will not pour
out his Spirit on hard and stony hearts. The soil of our hearts must be
broken up and made soft and responsive. That's why 2 Chronicles 7:14
calls us to prepare the way through prayer and ongoing repentance. Do
you want to be a part of what God is going to do? Then don't wait for
someone else. Let God begin with you!
Prayer:
O
Father, I come to you now. Search me and know my heart. Remove my heart
of stone and give me a heart of flesh. Create in me a clean heart, O
God, and renew a right spirit within me. Restore to me the joy of my
salvation and give me a willing spirit that delights to do your will. In
the name of Jesus I pray.
Continue in prayer using the 4 prayer points as the Lord leads you.
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