A Revival

I’ve been quietly considering the reports of Revivals breaking out across the Republic this week.  I also wanted to share some thoughts.

 

Out of the Gate, I believe in revival.  Revivals have occurred throughout human history where the Almighty God moves and ignites humanity, taking them through a time of repentance and contrition and forward into a renewal of life. Holy Scriptures capture this in the life of ancient Israel, one instance under the reign of their King Josiah where a people who had drifted so far from their God, returned in a spirit of brokenness and repentance.  Retribution that was rightfully theirs for their breaking of a holy covenant was remitted and the gentle hand of God was returned.

 

While our Republic, born in 1776 (and not 1619) had no tangible Covenant with the Divine, those framers of this new land all held to a Judeo-Christian worldview.  While this ethos has ebbed and flowed over the decades, it has taken a decided dive in the wake of the Cultural Revolution of “Wokeness” where down became up and wrong became right.  Now today, there are forces afoot that are seeking to tear our Republic to shreds.  In the midst of this darkness, the Holy Spirit appeared to have fallen on a worship service a University in Kentucky.  This Spiritual manifestation is now spreading across the Nation. 

As this is occurring, there are those, even in my own American Anglican Church, who are viewing this all with a jaundiced eye and dismissing it as nothing.  I don’t accept that view.  Our God IS moving, and his Prophets declared a time where he would once again pour out His Spirit on humanity.  I can’t say for certain that this is what we’re witnessing in the wake of this revival.  What I can do is quote the esteemed Rabbi Gamaliel, who when speaking to the High Council in Jerusalem (The Sanhedrin) declared:

“I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” (Acts 5:38-39)

All of this said, the fires of Revival are burning Spiritual tinder.  Once ignited, they require additional fuel to continue or else, they will exhaust themselves.  How does this occur?  It occurs when followers of God come along side these individuals, bringing the word of God to instruct and encourage.  Just as Pricilla and Aquilla came alongside Apollos, these who have recently encountered might have a fuller encounter, and be equipped to engage and influence this tasteless, and cold world.