Jul
18
2012
Revival Interrupts Our Little Programs
Every time we drive by a church with a sign out front announcing, “Revival meetings here next wee,” we are confronted with an understanding of revival that exaggerates the human dynamic. It may seem a small point, and I do not wish to be unfair. But how can we advertise a revival and expect to retain credibility? Presumably we do this because the very idea of revival has been diminished to an event on the church calendar. Evangelistic meetings — maybe that’s all people mean when they announce a revival — are a legitimate program. But true revival is not a scheduled program. It is a gift from the Throne wonderfully interrupting our little programs. The Holy Spirit blows like the wind, unpredictably, mysteriously, uncontrollably, wherever he pleases (John 3:8). We can’t announce him in advance. We can only pray that he will blow our way.
– Raymond C. Ortlund, Jr., When God Comes to Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker, 2000), 19-20.
3 Comments
Amen and amen to you and Ray. God Bless Now!
Scripture clearly lays out the “path” one (or many) takes to see revival in 2 Chron. 7:14. The main and singular key is humble repentance i think. What is interesting (and terrifying as well) is that in 2 Tim 2:25 Paul tells us that repentance is something that God grants to people. What we see in Acts therefore is these pieces all put together: the gospel of Jesus is faithfully preached, the hearers are “cut to the heart” (there’s that repentance given by God) and then they respond/act in accordance with/agree with that repentance viz. “Brothers, what shall we do [to be saved]?” to which Peter replies “repent and be baptized every one of you” and we see by the end that “three thousand souls” were added to their number.
Perhaps the signs outside the churches should read: “This Sunday – crying out to God for repentance”?
Appreciate you bro – God’s peace -
W.
Revivals are scheduled. But they’re scheduled by God.. not man.