Revival

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 It is very easy to look at the state of our nation and the world and see the sin and depravity that is rampant.  How it must grieve the heart of God even more than it does us!  Yes, we know that God is working everything out for good for those who love Him.  We know that He holds the hearts of rulers in His hand.  We know that He is working this all out as part of His divine plan.  Is His divine plan a great mystery that we are not privileged to know?  No, we do not know the entirety of His plan but we do know that He desires us to turn to Him.  He calls us to seek Him!

Nehemiah is a wonderful example in Scripture.  When he heard the condition of his homeland, Israel, what was his response?  

When I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of Heaven. Nehemiah 1:4

This was a really, really long prayer -- this prayer was four months long! He prayed day and night.  He begins by reminding the Lord of His promises.  Did God forget? No!  Of course not! However, the Lord desires us to pray back to Him his promises and praise Him for His past works.  

And I said, “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants” (Neh. 1:5–6). 

As we pray back the promises of God, we remind ourselves of who God is!

Next, Nehemiah repents for the sins of the nation.  Revival requires repentance.  

“I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses” (Neh. 1:6–7)

2 Chronicles 7:14 is familiar to us, and it reminds us of the same thing:  if we repent, our God will bring revival.  

 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

 Are we serious about desiring revival for ourselves, our homes, our church, our community and our nation?  God promises to hear us!  He desires us to fall before Him, recall His promises and repent before Him.  If we seek Him, we will see revival.  What a tremendous promise.  It does require commitment on our part to seek Him diligently and faithfully.  Seek Him today!

💓 Heather Sparks💓


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