We need a revival of godliness in the hearts and lives of God’s people, because in a world of moral decay we need more than ever to let the light of God’s holiness shine through us and pierce the darkness of this generation.
We need a revival where there’s a fresh, passionate devotion to Christ in the church, because it often seems like we’ve lost our first love, and we’ve become lukewarm in our affections for Christ and the things of His kingdom.
We need a revival where we hunger and thirst for the Word of God, because in large measure the noise of the world’s latest philosophies and opinions and entertainments are drowning out the voice of God as we ignore His Word.
We need a revival where we start praying to our Father as if our lives, and those of our brothers and sisters and our friends and neighbors and the nations depended upon it, because we’ve become so self-sufficient that we feel we don’t need God’s help.
We need a revival where we gain a renewed zeal and urgency to tell others the good news that Jesus saves, because the time of His return is nearing and there are people in your family and mine that still need to repent from sin and turn in faith to Christ.
We need a revival that brings new joy to souls of God’s people, that we might rise up in the midst of a crazy and chaotic world filled with sorrows and pains and brokenness, and yet trust in the Lord and declare, “I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength…”
The church needs revival. I’m not just talking about the First Baptist Church where I serve as Pastor. I know that I, and we, need it. I’m talking also about your church and every church where the name of Jesus is proclaimed.
I thank God for the churches that are growing and accomplishing God’s work in this world, but there are way too many that are plateaued or in decline, not just numerically, but spiritually. There are far too many professing Christians whose lives are not reflecting the image of Christ, who have no desire to glorify God, whose hearts are stubborn and whose steps follow the ways of the world rather than the ways of the Lord.
If we’re going to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world that Jesus says we are, we need revival. This nation needs a spiritual awakening more than ever, yes. Our country is descending into a moral abyss where we’re calling good evil and evil good and not even blushing by it. Everybody’s doing what’s right in their own eyes. We’re freefalling on the road to destruction and we’re oblivious to the outcome of our ways.
But I believe that before the world awakens to their need for Jesus, the church needs to get right with God. If we really want God to heal our land, we need to humble ourselves before Him, pray and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Then, God says, He will hear from heaven, will forgive our sins and heal our land (2 Chron. 7:14).
We need to hear and to heed the call to return to the Lord today. Christian, will you let revival begin with you? What do you say, prodigal son? Will you come back home to your Father before spending another night in the pigpen of despair and rebellion?
What about you, O ye of little or no faith? What’s holding you back from embracing the truth of Jesus? What does this world give you that’s of any real value, when Christ offers life abundant and eternal? Why carry the weight of your guilt and shame any longer? Jesus forgives your sins, saves you from death and hell, and promises His peace, His provision, His protection, His power and His presence. Why not receive Him as Savior and Lord now before it’s too late. Maybe revival will begin with you.
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