This past week, hundreds of people came out each night for special meetings at an area-wide crusade event. Many churches banded together to support this endeavor. Their desire was revival in central Pennsylvania. They wanted to be a part of God’s work in hearts across our region. Some people were saved, some got assurance of their salvation, and others made decisions to get right with the Lord in some specific area. There is no question that revival is needed in our nation today – But how???
The word “revival” simply means “to make alive again”. People who have never come to the faith have never been made alive in the first place. They need evangelism. They need the gospel. They need to be born again by the new life that is only found by faith in Jesus Christ. However, for believers, we sometimes revert back to the bad habits, attitudes, and actions that characterized our life before Christ. In other words, we are alive in Christ – but acting like we are still dead. When that happens, we NEED revival.
Probably one of the most well-known passages that is used as a formula for revival comes from 2 Chronicles 7:14. I often cringe when I hear of Pastors going to this passage to preach on the topic. It is so often taken out of context and misapplied as God’s promise to America today. While we need to understand it within it’s biblical context (as a promise to the nation of Israel), there are certainly principles for revival that are applicable as well. Here are some alliterated thoughts to consider:
Personalization – the phrase “if my people, which are called by my name” denotes that the one seeking revival needs a personal relationship with God. In the context of this verse, He is speaking of Israel. However, the important thing to note is that a personal relationship with the Lord is the starting point. If you don’t know the Lord as your Savior, you must find life in Him before you can seek His face for revival. You must personally ask God to do His work of revival in YOU – not someone else.
Prayer – “shall humble themselves and pray” – Every great revival that has occurred throughout history has begun with a humble and extended time of prayer. Prayer is often our most neglected discipline as believers. It is the first thing we abandon and the last resort we turn to when we need help. Maybe this is why revival is such a rare commodity today. Meetings that do not have prayer behind them may stir up some emotional response in the moment, but will not have the lasting effects that true revival offers.
Persistence – “and seek my face” – there is the idea here that we need to be persistent in our seeking after God. In my house we have often told the kids “If you don’t have my eyes, you don’t have my attention”. Some of them quickly learned to get my eyes on them before talkign to me, even if it meant physically putting their hands on each cheek and staring me down. We need to be this persistent when seeking the face of God. James 4:8 tells us, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Penitence – “and turn from their wicked ways” – Penitence is the not the same thing as “penance”. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for ALL your sin when He died on the cross. However, as believers we are called to continually be convicted of our sin (which occurs regularly), to repent of it, and to turn from those things that displease the Lord. We can’t expect God to bring revival when we have no desire to be conformed to His image in all areas of our lives.
Promise – This is where the verse most often gets taken out of context. The promise in this verse is for God’s chosen people, the Jews. However, there is still application for us today from other Scriptures. Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. God’s desire is for you to be sanctified before Him, to be blameless before Christ, and we can depend on His faithfulness to us.
There is much that can be said about revival. We desperately need it today. Only when Christians return to living the new life in Christ will they be motivated to tell others about that new life as well. There are so many lost in this world that need to know about this new life. So, pray for revival in your life. Be persistent in your pursuit of God’s holiness in your life. Revival can still occur today because our God has not changed and will always be faithful!