What is revival? Revival is the renewal of interest in God or the recovery of spiritual life and strength. Believers and churches across America need revival. Millions of people across the US think they are Christians, but have no relationship with God and so are truly unbelievers. Unbelievers need revival. Perhaps I might say more accurately, unbelievers need an awakening of interest in God that leads to relationship.
Biblically, revivals happen with the combination of three elements: the Word of God, the Spirit of God and the prayers of God’s people. The primary importance of the Word of God seems to lost to many people today, both believers and unbelievers. In bygone years in America, the mark of an educated person was knowledge of the Word of God. Today, the mark of a so-called educated leader appears to be ignorance of God’s Word. Ignorance of God’s Word leads to deep problems in all aspects of life and society.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV) Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
God’s revealed Word is to guide the footsteps of our lives and lead us to a closer relationship with God. Without God’s Word, we stumble in the darkness. However, for those who are stumbling in the darkness, God’s Word can lead to revival. I would challenge every reader to making a commitment to read God’s Word daily for at least 15 minutes. Pray and ask God to help you apply His Word to your life. What it says, you will believe. What it commands, you will do. Get connected with a Bible-believing church so that you can learn from pastor-teachers how to understand God’s Word better. As you do, you’ll find spiritual revival in your life.
Listen to my July 19, 2009 message “Revival Through The Word” based on Nehemiah 8 (message notes).