31. Revival

Today we will choose spiritual revival. Spiritual revival is a process of renewal in the spiritual life of individuals, communities, and even nations. The world is in pretty bad shape, but you don't need me to tell you that. The evidence is all around us. The only thing that can fix it is a great spiritual revival, but how can we facilitate that?

God gives us a few clues in a powerful promise he makes. "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14). The promise was made to the Israelites who were considered God's chosen people. They had gotten into a lot of trouble, and God was showing them the way to restoration. We can do what he told them to do.

One, we need to humble ourselves. Two, we need to pray. Three, we need to seek his face. Four, we need to turn from our wicked ways. Let's take each of these in turn.

One: Humility. How do we humble ourselves? Scripturally, fasting is one of the ways we show humility. There are several stories, but let us look at just one. When the prophet Ezra was preparing to return to Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, Scripture says: "There, by the Ahava Canal, I proclaimed a fast, so that we might humble ourselves before our God and ask him for a safe journey for us and our children, with all our possessions" (Ezra 8:21). The story concludes with God answering his prayer. For a better understanding of fasting, especially concerning humility, please watch my talk on the subject. The link is up there!

Two: Prayer. We need to pray. Every story in the Bible about revival or restoration speaks about the necessity of prayer. When Ezra's successor Nehemiah received news about how the walls of Jerusalem remained unbuilt, despite all efforts to build it, Nehemiah said: "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4). Nehemiah ended up rebuilding the wall in 52 days!

Three: Seek God's face. We need to seek God's face. Seeking God's face is a metaphorical expression of seeking God's presence, intimacy, and favor. It involves developing a deep and meaningful relationship with God through prayer, worship, and obedience to his will. Moses, David, Elijah, Daniel, Mary, and Paul — to name a few — all sought God's face.

Four: Repent: There cannot be revival without repentance. In the book of Jonah, the prophet is told to go to Nineveh with the warning that God would destroy the city in forty days if they didn't repent. Scripture says, "When Jonah's warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust" (Jonah 3:6). He then issued a decree that the entire nation fast — including the animals. No food OR water! The story has a happy ending. Scripture says: "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened" (Jonah 3:10).

Let us choose revival today, knowing that God will hear from heaven, will forgive our sins, and will heal our lands. May he bless us all.

More in this category: « 30. Generosity 08. Light »
Click here for the extended "LIVE" versions: 1. Abundant Life
2. Perseverance
3. Humility
4. Rest
5. To Abide
6. To Wait
7. To Look Ahead
8. Light
9. Grace
10. Contentment
11. Love
12. Repentance
13. To Forgive
14. To Surrender
15. Joy
16. Faith
17. Discipline
18. Hope
19. Freedom
20. Gratitude
21. To Listen
22. Truth
23. Peace
24. Encouragement
25. To Imitate Christ
26. Friendship
27. Unity
28. To Remember
29. Conversion
30. Generosity
31. Revival
32. Integrity
33. Excellence
34. To Serve
35. Tongue Control
36. Courage
37. Wisdom
38. Purity
39. Stewardship
40. To Evangelize
Choice 01 — I Choose Abundant Life
Choice 01 — I Choose Abundant Life
Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
We begin our series on *40 Choices* we will make during Read More
Choice 02: I Choose Perseverance
Choice 02: I Choose Perseverance
We continue our series on #40Choices we will make during this season by choosing *Perseverance*. Please share the video and bless others.
Transcript
One day Jesus told his disciples a parable to sho Read More
Choice 03: I Choose Humility
Choice 03: I Choose Humility
We continue our series on *40 Choices* we will make during this season by choosing *Humility*. Please share the video and bless others.
Transcript
One day when Jesus was dining with a group of Phari Read More
Choice 04: I Choose Rest
Choice 04: I Choose Rest
We choose *Rest* today in our series on *40Choices*. Please share the video and bless others.
To watch the *expanded “live” versions* of these reflections, please visit https://bit.ly/hsihouseofpraye Read More
Choice 05: I Choose to Abide
Choice 05: I Choose to Abide
Today, in our series on *40 Choices*, we choose *to Abide* in Jesus Christ. To watch *expanded 30-minute live versions* of these reflections, please visit https://bit.ly/hsihouseofprayer.
Choice 06: I Choose to Wait
Choice 06: I Choose to Wait
Today, in our series on *40 Choices*, we choose to *Wait*. Please share the video and bless others.
To watch *expanded 30-minute live versions* of these reflections, please visit https://bit.ly/hsih Read More
Choice 07: I Choose to Look Ahead
Choice 07: I Choose to Look Ahead
Today, in our series on *40 Choices*, we choose to *Look Ahead* in Jesus Christ. Please share the video and bless others. 
To watch an *expanded 30-minute live version* of this reflection, please vis Read More
Choice 08: I Choose Light
Choice 08: I Choose Light
Today, in our series on *40 Choices*, we choose *Light*. Please share the video and bless others. 
To watch an *expanded 30-minute version* of this reflection, please visit https://bit.ly/hsihouseofp Read More
Choice 09: I Choose Grace
Choice 09: I Choose Grace
Today, in our series on *40 Choices*, we choose *Grace*. Please share the video and bless others. 
To watch an *expanded 30-minute version* of this reflection, please visit https://bit.ly/hsihouseofp Read More
Choice 10: I Choose Contentment
Choice 10: I Choose Contentment
Today, in our series on *40 Choices*, we choose *Contentment*. Please share the video and bless others. 
To watch an *expanded 30-minute version* of this reflection, please visit https://bit.ly/hsiho Read More

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