Revival? August 14 Readings: Nehemiah 7-8, Romans 5, Psalm 94:13–19, Proverbs 20:11–13

Links to August 14 Readings: Nehemiah 7-8, Romans 5, Psalm 94:13–19, Proverbs 20:11–13

Revival!Let's pray for revival!

You hear those words so often, but it means different things to different people. What is a revival? How can you quantify a revival? Is it even something we ought to seek as individuals, churches and nations?

Nehemiah 8 records what could safely be described as a revival. There is no standard definition of revival, but this one would satisfy most definitions. God's people, who had been wandering from him into sin, repent and return to him in such a way that the life of the nation was affected. Ezra led God's people in repentance and they recommitted themselves to him with passion and joy.

But how did it happen?

Of course, revival is an act of God to restore his people, but there are certain things that happened here that can be seen as a template for us as we seek revival.

First of all, the people gathered together, in fact, Nehemiah 8:1 says that they all came together. I can experience a personal renewal in my life, but genuine revival is something that happens to God's people as a group.

Second, revival is focused on God's word. Look at what happens in these verses. Ezra read publicly from God's word from sunup until noontime - at least 6 hours. As Ezra read the Law several Levites scattered through the crowd and explained its meaning. It was a six hour sermon! The the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to do the work of God in the people of God. As the Scriptures were read and explained, the power of God came upon the people.

It is important to note that Ezra did not whip the people up into an emotional frenzy or manipulate guilt or any of the things so common today. It was the word of God that changed lives.

It also took time. Not only did the people spend 6 hours listening to the word, but they stayed gathered together for seven days of worship and feasting. In the early church era, the believers gathered daily to fellowship and seek God. Not weekly for one hour, but daily. It takes time to draw near to God.

A one-hour worship service on Sunday morning will never be adequate for people seeking God and spiritual revival.

As the word of God was proclaimed, the Spirit of God came on the people and they began to repent. Their sorrow over their sin was so intense that Ezra had to remind them that the joy of the Lord was their strength, that they should not just repent but rejoice in him.

If we would be revived today, the Scriptures must be read and proclaimed clearly among God's people, that the Spirit of God might draw the church to repentance and spiritual renewal.

Father, I can feel it in my soul. I need a renewing of your grace and mercy. Help me to remember not only to repent of my sin, but also to revel in the joy of your love.