I Need Revival - Do You?

I have heard many people speak of revival over the years, and often it sounds something like this:  "What we need is revival."  "Do you know how long it has been since there was a true revival in our nation?"  "Wouldn't you love to take part in a revival?"

As I have been thinking about "revival" in the last few days, there are a couple of misconceptions I feel important to clear up.  Revival starts with God's people, not with the world.  Revival carries with it the idea that something was once alive and has stopped breathing, or the heart has ceased to function, and revival is necessary to continue living.  When we see the deeds and hear the words of those who fear not God, revival is not what they need initially:  they need regeneration, salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, to be born again!

For all the times I have heard people lamenting the lack of revival, not one time have I heard someone say, "I need revival."  This is the point:  revival does not start "out there" somewhere, but takes place in your own heart.  True revival starts with you.  Yes, you.  The wonderful thing is revival is not something to long for but never grasp, but a promise fulfilled when we meet God's conditions!  Isaiah 57:15 says, "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."  You want revival?  God has given you His word that you may have it.  The question is, do you really want it?  Are you willing to repent and humiliate yourself before God in complete surrender to Him?

Let's not pray for others to receive what we are unwilling to seek for ourselves.  God promises to revive any of His people who are humble and contrite before Him.  He is holy, and therefore we must confess our sin and repent in humility.  If we being evil give good gifts to our children, how much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to all who ask Him?  When God revives you, He will cease to be contained within you and spill out in fountains of Living Water.  Jesus has offered abundant life, free from dry tributaries and stagnant ponds.  Humbly come to Jesus Christ in faith as you came to Him at the first, the One who shouted to all, "If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to Me and drink!" (John 7:37-38)  The devil loves it when we wring our hands over our lack and neglect to receive ourselves what God has freely provided.  Aren't we called to walk by faith and not by sight?  Let's break up our own fallow ground and prepare our hearts because it is high time to seek the LORD!

To pine for the revival of nations and not to be revived ourselves is folly.  Revival of nations begins when God's people seek and receive the revival according to His promises.  I need revival.  Do you?  It's not a one-time thing.  Let us believe, humble ourselves before our God in repentance, and receive.