Revive Us Again

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.~Psalm 51:12

Every year my church has Revival.  Preachers from different churches come and bring the word of God.  It is supposed to be a time of reflection and renewed commitment to God and the church.  It's been on the calendar for months, but the truth is I didn't want to go.

This caused me to examine the reasons why.  I first told myself that I didn't need a revival.  I am walking daily with the Lord and growing, my interest and commitment are present.  Then I told  myself that I did not just want to to Revival Services out of a sense of obligation.  As a ministry leader I should be setting an example, but it my motives are not right what’s the point.

These “reasons” all sound rational, but I heard God tell me that He requires obedience.  I heard Him tell me that He is the one who teaches me and directs my steps.  I heard Him say He knows what is best for me.

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.~Isaiah 48:17

So a battle in my mind waged on.  Am I going to be the “Yes” girl?  Am I going to follow through with the assignment God has given me? Or am I going to listen to my own counsel?

I am grateful to say that God provided me with tutoring at church to help me make the right choice.  First, He placed my brother next to me.  My brother is a loving man of God.  I felt like God was saying, let me get close to you.  Then my pastor read Romans 7:25. “ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

Paul was a mighty man of God and like me He wrestled with sin.  He did things that He did not want to do as well as not doing things that He was supposed to do.  For example,  sometimes I let myself get irritated by petty things and my attitude gets snappy.  I don't want to do that. I want to let stuff time off my back and reflect Christ.  I love God, but there s a lot of work He still needs to do with me.

So what does this have to do with revival?  Revival is more than a service.  It is a time to reflect, repent, and go deeper with God. It is a time of refreshing.  I am happy that God has me here in this place with Him.  I am grateful for our relationship, but sin is still present with me.  I live in the flesh and it wars with my Spirit woman.  So I need to be revived. I need a fresh anointing of His peace and power to do what He has called me to do with joy and abandonment.  I need to always remember that He knows what is best for me.

This journey, this walk with the Lord is a daily thing.  He will teach me the way that I should go.  I just need to trust and obey.  I went to Revival Services.  What a blessing I received as I surrendered to His will.

Father, thank You for loving me.  Thank You for your correction and guidance.  Thank You for restoring me the joy of your salvation. Give me a willing spirit to do Your will.  Sustain me Lord and keep me until the day of your return. May others feel your presence today. In Jesus name I pray. Amen