Are You Longing for Revival?

October 09, 2023

By Brooke Holt

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” Psalm 19:7-9

I readily admit I long to experience the power and presence of God. I have been spoiled by incredible times of worship during conferences, retreats, and church services. In those settings, I have felt the presence and power of God in such powerful ways. I crave this kind of worship, because it transformed my soul. I got a glimpse of how worship may be in the heavenly realms, and I just long for more of it. I yearn for revival in my own soul, in our churches, and in our world today.

As King David penned this psalm, he, too, was overwhelmed by the presence and power of God. The psalm begins with him praising God both for his creation and the magnificent ways he displays his glory and goodness throughout it. David continues to praise God for his word, his law given through Moses, and what we know today as the Pentateuch (first five books of the Old Testament). In those books, David delighted in being taught and instructed about the nature and character of God as well as the laws God laid out for his people.

Not many people delight in laws, especially these days. What about God’s law captivated and delighted David? David recognized the law given through Moses was divine. Moses did not institute these laws but received every one of them from the mouth of God. He then declared the word of the Lord to God’s people and wrote the laws on tablets of stone (Exodus 24:12). God provided his law as a means for his people to live set apart lives unto him, the means to live in covenant with a holy God. These laws guided the nation of Israel in how to love him and then how to love one another. Each one was all about relationship – relationship to God and then with one’s neighbor.

King David understood personal and corporate revival happen when God’s people embrace his covenantal promises and live according to his will and ways. When God’s people truly love him with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, they begin to want the things God wants. Their hearts become aligned with his, they then see the world and people as God sees. They hear what he hears. In essence, they live attuned to the Lord God.

Living attuned to the Lord revives the soul. Life gets put into perspective as you long for God above everything else in the world, when you perceive his glory in creation, and when you surrender to his order for life in this world. Hearts come alive, minds are enlightened, and spirits are stirred.

Reflection:

Are you longing for personal revival? Go to God’s Word. Ask him for a fresh revelation. Then surrender to his order for this world and your life. His law is still perfect today and provides everything you need for life and godliness (see 2 Peter 1:3-4). We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Recommended Resource:

Awaken the awe and the wonder of Advent! “The King Is Coming” is a 4-week Advent devotional especially written with a child’s heart in mind. It takes families through the salvation story by focusing on who God is, the gift of Jesus, and the importance of celebrating and sharing that miraculous gift! Bring your family together this Advent season for a journey exploring God’s big love for you.