By Abel Ukachi Amadi

Text: Joel 2:12–13; Habakkuk 3:2
Key verse: 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,” (KJV).

Revival is a word that has to do with reviving, taking something or someone, who has weakened or died and restoring them to life. Every believer can experience a fresh spiritual awakening by returning to God with sincerity and devotion.

Revival brings the renewing of passion for God. Personal revival is a renewed spiritual awakening in a believer’s life, marked by a restored passion for God, a return to His ways, and a fresh work of the Holy Spirit. Revival starts with each of us, as spiritually revived individuals. As believers are personally revived; that renewal can spread to the church, our communities and beyond.

The Lord asks four things of His people to find renewal. They are namely: humble themselves, pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways. Revival starts with humbling ourselves.

What does ‘humble’ oneself mean? Jesus spoke of the humbling of one’s heart as the first step into the Kingdom of God.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3, NASB). Our generation is typified by talk of high self-esteem. We know little of true humility. We want to believe better things of ourselves than is true.

People even help us along by not saying anything about our faults and, in fact, lying. God says the first step in approaching Him is to evaluate oneself in light of His holy and majestic character. In other words, we are not to evaluate ourselves by what we feel about ourselves, but by what God says in His Word. By examining ourselves in light of God’s Word, we get a true perspective of ourselves. We can do this by taking an inventory on the things we have said and done. Are they pleasing to God? Have we really been listening to God? When we humble ourselves, it means that we clearly affirm the ownership and rulership of God over our lives.

Prayer is another requirement for revival. Without humbling ourselves, our prayers will be a stench in His nose. He wants nothing to do with our prideful prayers. God loves those who humbly pray before Him and cry out for help. The phrase ‘seek God’s face’ speaks of an intimate relationship with God. When we meet God, we are impacted by His face.

When we seek His face, we will see His holiness and love. We will all of a sudden be aghast at the wicked things we have done and the haughty attitudes that we have held. His deep and penetrating love will be contrasted with our cheap selfishness. By getting close to God, one also discovers His love and mercy that pardon us of all of our sins. This is where God wants to bring us. Remember God’s purpose for drawing us close is, so that, we can see both His holiness as well as His mercy. Repentance is another requirement to seek revival. Salvation comes through repentance. Sanctification also comes through repentance just as this verse states.

• Further reading (King James Version): Judges 9:8-13,23,24; 6:34,35; Judges 9:8-13; Judges 9:8,9; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14; John 5:44; Hebrews 5:4,5. Judges 9:10,11; Proverbs 27:18; Matthew 21:19-21; Mark 13:28-31. Judges 9:12,13; Song of Solomon 1:6; Isaiah 5:1-7; John 15:1-8; and Judges 9:23,24.

Confession enables us to see our sins for what they are (an offense against God) and tell them to God in prayer, asking for restoration. Turning from wicked ways also means turning to the right way. God wants His people to stop their sinning! We are to examine our lives and eliminate anything that does not please the Lord.

• Today’s nugget: Revival is spiritual awakening. Prayer: Lord I repent from my wicked ways. Prayer lines: 08033299824. E-mail: [email protected], Rev. Abel Ukachi Amadi, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God, Nigeria.