Revival

Revival?

Churches often advertise “revival”. There are three problems – it is sad, it is presumptuous, and it is weak.

It is sad. Revival means to bring to life again and thus churches are (unwittingly) advertising they are dying, in need of life, backslidden, lukewarm, and in a bad way. To be in a dying condition is a shame. It does not seem like something to advertise. But maybe credit should be given for honesty.

It is presumptuous. The Spirit of God is unpredictable like the wind, John 3.8, and how does a church know that they will be revived as a result of some special meetings with some visiting preacher? If God does not arise and visit them, the special meetings will be of no effect and business will go on as usual.

It is weak. Historic revival is not some evangelistic campaign, but it is God coming to a church or to churches or to a community in a supernatural way with unusual power. It is divine fire and you don’t have to advertise a fire. Examples?
• In the Hebrides Revival of 1949, for example, God came in such a powerful way that communities were swept into the Kingdom of God almost overnight.
• The Canadian Revival of 1970 began in Saskatoon, SK, and in a matter of days the biggest building in the city could not handle the crowds. It spread and in Winnipeg returned stolen goods were so many that one department store had to designate a special building. Families were healed. Lives were changed.
• After much prayer the South African Revival of 1966 began when God came as at Pentecost with a “sound from heaven,” Acts 2.2. Dozens each day came uninvited to the meeting place under conviction of sin and asking for spiritual help.
This is revival; this is new life. May God do it again, even in our city.

Habakkuk 3:2 O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years.

Psalm 85:6 Will You not Yourself revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?

Robert Jennings, co-pastor
Hwy. M Chapel