DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT: Revive Us Now! #4

A genuine revival without joy in the Lord is as impossible as spring without flowers, or day-dawn without light. -- C.H. Spurgeon.
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O LORD, I have heard your speech and was afraid; O LORD, revive your work in the midst of the years! In the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy. -- Hab 3:2 (NKJ)

What Type of Revival Do We Need?
Continuing on from yesterday on the type of revival that we needed, we recognised that we needed a revival that would revive us and reawaken old fires and we needed a revival that would resurrect the Church, we also need…

A revival that will restore joy and victory to the child of God.
I have only been saved 25 years, and in that time I have witnessed too many defeated, discouraged, backslidden Christians! These were great and loving people who were on fire for God and then all of a sudden, they left their Churches and turned their backs on God. What happened to them? What caused this?

I believe one of the biggest reasons for this is, that they had lost the joy of the Lord in their lives, through various reasons. Whatever the reason, God still wants His children back. Nobody is ever too far away from God that they can’t come back!

If we are to have revival, we need to begin in the Church... Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. -- James 4:7. Many people quote this scripture not realizing why they need to submit to God in the first place, SIN! We have to realize that SIN has been the problem in most, if not all of the situations, which caused them to be defeated, discouraged, backslidden Christians!

The following scripture tells us why … Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. -- James 4:8.

This is the remedy against SIN! God promises to come near to all who will turn from sin, purify their hearts and call on Him in true repentance. God’s nearness will bring His presence, grace, blessings, love and great JOY and VICTORY!

When cleansing by the precious blood of Jesus has taken place in our hearts, and we have called on Him, we will begin to see that the joy of the Lord is our strength, we need a revival where God will give us a song in our hearts and a boldness in our walk, we can hold our heads up high as forgiven, restored joyful and victorious Christians!

Ø You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. -- Ps 16:11
Ø Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, -- Jude 1:24

A lady asked Billy Sunday the great American evangelist:
"Why do you keep having revivals when it doesn't last?"
He asked her, "Why do you keep taking baths?"
-- Source Unknown.

Yes! We need a revival that will restore joy and victory to the child of God! Once more our mouths will be filled with laughter and our voices singing the praises of God our Saviour, as we walk victoriously before our Lord!

Loving Father, I thank you for your love and forgiveness; I thank you, that as your restored, joyful and victorious child, I can hold my head up high before you. Help me Lord, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to hunger and thirst after you, that I may see revival in me, my family, my Church, my community, my City and my Country, and in my lifetime! In Jesus victorious name I pray! Amen!