Fires Of Revival

Accepting the risk of sounding like a certain preacher that has gotten a lot of attention lately for his strong condemnation of our nation it is must be stated that the United States is sinking deeper and deeper into spiritual bankruptcy. Where once this great nation was a beacon of biblical light to the world it may now be on the precipice of destruction if God is not pleased to intervene in a very fundamental way in America’s affairs.
Throughout history there have been times that God has given spiritual revival to His people. What do we mean by that word revival? The word itself means to renew or revive to life where evidence of life is absent. For there to be revival there had to at one time been life present that is fading toward death. Biblical revival has to do with the renewing or reviving of a withering relationship of the people of God with their God. Is there a need for a spiritual revival in America? The answer without question is, yes.
The politically correct mindset that has swept our country from coast to coast is systematically working to rid public life, and if they have their way private life, of all influence of biblical Christianity. The prejudice toward Christianity that now exists can be seen in an article I recently read of an incident in an elementary school where Christian children were forbidden to, at their own initiative, pray together on the play ground but that the very same school had provided a special room for Muslim children to make use of for prayer. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Such things are occurring across the country. We are now reaping the consequences of voting into office an administration that has no true respect for God or His word. Out of their ignorance of the Bible, they mock the Bible and those who believe its eternal truths. They ridicule the few precious public voices who do openly avow their biblical faith in God? Those brave people are marginalized as ignorant and out of touch. These political fascists should read the history books that are faithful to our Christian heritage. They would find out that the founders of our nation were very dependent upon the Bible’s wisdom as they formed the government system that has served us so well. Men such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and even Benjamin Franklin had a deep respect for the Word of God and believed its truth should be applied to the affairs of men.
The moral character and decency of our nation are being eaten away. It is nearly impossible to sit down for an evening of television and not be embarrassed and even ashamed of what now fills the airways. Sexual promiscuity is the norm rather than the exception on prime time TV. The presence of the occult is common place. I am not a conspiracy theorist but it is obvious that there is an agenda being promoted from Hollywood. When a Bible believing preacher is depicted on TV, he is usually portrayed as a fanatical kook who is probably a pedophile, a homophobe or worse.
Enough of that, it is depressing to consider the deplorable moral and spiritual condition of America. But, praise the Lord, there is an answer. But, the answer will not be found in Washington, D.C. or in Austin. The answer certainly will not come from Oprah or Dr. Phil. The answer for our nation is a God sent spiritual revival that must begin in the churches of America. David, the sweet psalmist of Israel wrote in Psalm 85:6 “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” David, the king was crying out to God for revival of the nation of Israel. Take note that it is a good thing when a nation’s leaders look to God for help. Israel was the Old Testament people of God. They were to be the light of God and a blessing to the heathen nations that surrounded them. The Lord Jesus Christ in the sermon on the mount called upon His disciples to “let their light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:16). The charge to God’s people has not changed in this age of grace. They are to be His light to the sinful world in which they live.
Bible believing churches must be broken over sin and seek the face of God for His mercy. May Christians cry out to God, “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 God of the universe is a merciful and gracious God and He may once again revive, renew, and restore His people so that His people might be a beautiful and brilliant light to the world. Many say that it is too late for America. That is nonsense; God often determines to do His greatest work at the darkest of times. The reluctant prophet Jonah was sent with a very simple message to the wicked and violent city of Nineveh, “yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” A mere forty days and Nineveh would be destroyed, but the entire city, from the king on down sought God with fasting and prayer in the hope that He might spare them. In response, God gave them revival and a gracious 100 year reprieve to an entire city.
It is the responsibility of God’s people to obediently tell the truth. They must warn that if things do not change in America judgment may well be ahead. Why should it be expected that God will spare judgment here that He has poured out upon other nations that have forgotten Him? It is not a popular ministry to warn and exhort people to turn from sin. People want to hear pleasant messages that make them feel good. But what is more important, to feel good on the way to destruction or to repent, find God’s mercy and experience a powerful reviving of His work? One last thought about what revival does. Revival is not really a matter of taking the spiritual climate to an abnormally high level. Rather, it is God returning the spiritual condition of His people to the normal. Revival is restoring the people of God to what He initially intended them to be. Dear reader, when God’s people are spiritually what they should be, they will be a powerful impact wherever they are found. They will be His salt and light to this perishing world.