August 8

Day 147: Revivals That Stick

In Nehemiah's time, rebuilding the city's protective wall did not result in a rebuilding of the people's relationship with God. For that,  different materials were required.

In chapter 8, under Nehemiah's direction, they went and found the Book of the Law of Moses. (The first five books of the Old Testament.) The people stood in family groups, outside, for half a day, while Ezra read the entire thing. Cover to cover.

Then the Levites gathered the people in groups, and explained what had been read to them.

In response, chapter 9 is one long prayer; a corporate prayer of confession. They confessed their ancestors' sins against God, and their own sins as well.

This was followed in chapter 10 with a renewed commitment to follow God's will, expressed in obedience to celebrating the important dates, and in returning to proportional giving. Even the Levites and priests gave a "tithe of the tithe."

This was a revival. "Revival" is defined as an improvement of something, or "something returned to a prior popularity." The revival in Nehemiah's time was more the latter.

In early North America, after European colonization, there were several religious revivals. Some of the great names of church history were essential to these revivals. Edwards, Wesley, and others are remembered primarily by what they preached and wrote during those revival times. And how many people were converted to Christ.

So why don't revivals stick? Why don't the residual results of revivals last?

Most people favor heaven over hell. But fewer favor heaven over earth.

Go back to Nehemiah's revival.

Revivals don't stick, when God's people return to ignoring the reading, the preaching, the teaching of God's Word.

Revivals don't stick, when God's people return to ignoring and even refusing to confess their sin against God.

Revivals don't stick, when God's people return to neglecting to obey God, keep His commandments, and instead revert back to trying to secure their security and significance through their own altered thinking or self-serving efforts.

Ever had a personal revival yourself? I've had several. Those times of saying, "I'll do better; I'll be more committed." And then the feelings of revival wane. Again.

Why?

I cannot revive myself. Nor can you. A true, lasting revival does not result in a better me. A better version of my same sinful self. In in way, it's like asking God to make me a better sinner.

A revival only sticks when it is transformative. To see revival in our land must start with a revival in us; God's people. And since we cannot transform ourselves, we are dependent on the Holy Spirit's indwelling power.

As Jesus once said to a nighttime visitor, we must be "born again."

If "revival" is a return of something to a prior popularity, that can be achieved, at least for a while.

But to be "revived" is to be brought from death to life. To live a transformed life, one marked by God's Word, confession of sin, and obedience to God's righteous commands.

To ask God for revival is to ask God to revive us, and keep us alive to Him.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau