November 7, 2021 -
I don’t know about you, but with all the hustle, bustle, confusion, rudeness, and negativity that seems to overwhelm us every day, I find myself growing tired and if I’m not careful, I let this tiredness seep deep down inside me. I need reviving. In religious circles, we throw the word “revival” around a lot. We say, “First Baptist Bug Tussle” is having a revival” or “Dog Patch Community Church is in revival”. What do we mean by “revival”? A quick Google search gives us a couple of definitions for the word revival: “an improvement in the condition or strength of something” OR “an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again.” When I use the word revival in the context of this discussion, I use revival as the act of turning my tiredness back into strength, energy, and purpose. Psalm 119 gives us some ways through which we can find revival. Verse 25 tells us that we can find revival in God’s word. When is the last time you sat down and slowly read God’s word? I’m not talking about reading it to complete a daily Bible reading chore, but reading for the purpose of consumption. When we let it, God’s word gives us the same nourishment spiritually that wholesome food gives us physically. Verse 37 shows us that God’s “way” brings revival. What kinds of things attract your time and attention? Are you drawn to physical, worldly things or are you seeking after “kingdom” things? There are two “ways” we can travel. The broad way or the narrow way. The broad way leads to destruction while the narrow way leads to revival and life everlasting. Along this same line, Verse 40 lets us know that God’s righteousness brings revival. Keeping God’s law, God’s way, leads us to revival every time. It is never wrong to do the right thing. Finally, Verse 88 teaches us that God’s lovingkindness brings revival. It is only through God’s grace, love, and kindness that we find lasting revival. I know things are hard right now. We are facing new challenges every day. Are you in a place where in your perpetual tiredness you find yourself crying out to God for revival? Revival is more than a religious event; it is a state of mind. Reading Psalm 119 and making it your heart cry to God will bring true, lasting revival.
Be revived, be blessed, and go be a blessing . . . Andy
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