Introduction to Thoughts on Revival

There is something powerful about the writings of those that have experienced revival. I've decided that as part of my spiritual disciplines this fall I am going to do some reading on revival and then post some thoughts about what I am reading for others to read and perhaps interact with.

Arthur Wallis, in his book In the Day of Thy Power, describes revival as being "Divine intervention in the normal course of spiritual things. It is God revealing Himself to man in awesome holiness and irresistible power." Examples of revival in American history include the Great Awakening in the 1700s under the preaching of Jonathan Edwards, John Wesley and George Whitefield. The Second Great Awakening in the mid 1800s under the preaching of Charles Finney led the way to the abolition of slavery in this country.

On a large scale, revival can change the moral fiber of a community or a nation. On a smaller scale, revival can be personal, resulting in renewed passion for Christ and the lost.

As I reflect on the reading I've done and the people I've talked to about revival it seems that they fall into two categories. The first are people who have witnessed or experienced true revival. They have sat in the presence of a holy God and their lives have been forever changed by an encounter with the Almighty God. There is profound humility and deep faith.

The second category of people I've met bother me deeply. They talk about "revival" almost as if it were some spiritual thrill...like a cool ride at Valley Fair. They brag about strange manifestations that appear to indicate the presence of God. They go running to places that have reported that "revival is happening" hoping to get in on the action or a stamp on their "spiritual adventurer passport" so they can say that they have been there. I could be wrong, but it seems to me like this group of people are chase revival reports like a drug addict looking for a fix. I don't want to be judgmental, but sometimes I feel like people in this category have only experienced revival like I experience an NFL game...from the stands or in my living room, but never on the field. In fact, I don't ever really want to experience an NFL game on the field...the personal consequences are too high.

Ah, but maybe that's the point. True revival carries a price. It's not a simply a spiritual high. It is in part a manifestation of the awesome holiness of the All-Powerful God. When we see him for who he is we either run in terror or fall to our knees in repentance. Revival cleanses from sin. Revival breaks the self-life in all of its forms. Revival is costly.

Sammy Tippit, in Fire in Your Heart describes ministering behind the Iron Curtain in East Germany during a period of revival. A young new believer came forward and told him that there were some things in her life that were not right and as a result that she had no joy. He asked her if she was willing to repent and forsake her sins. She said she was, knelt and prayed. She concluded her prayer with, "Lord, please take control of my life egal was es Kostet." In English, "no matter what the cost." She was embracing the cross.

He asked another young believer how she was doing now that she had become a follower of Christ. A tear formed in her eye as she told him that she had been the top student in her class but her profession of Christ meant that she could no longer go to school. She looked at him, smiled and said, "But it's worth it!" She had embraced the cross and discovered the power of the resurrection.

That's the type of heart that has been forged in the fires of revival. It burns with a passion for Christ that cannot be put out. It has counted the cost and said, "Jesus is worth it."

How about you? Have you experienced revival? Have you decided that Jesus is worth it? That's where it all begins.