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Revive Us Again Tim Smelser
It is interesting how much emphasis we place on words and vocabulary when there are many different ways of expressing the same idea. For example, consider our gospel meeting this week. As I was talking to a couple in the neighborhood I invited them to our “gospel meeting.” They asked, “Is that like a revival meeting?” I affirmed that it was and continued talking to them about the speaker and the subjects for the week. As I drove home though, I reflected on the fact that this couple understood “revival.” In the past I have heard that one of the reasons brethren no longer use that designation is because it is archaic. It is not used frequently, therefore we think no one understands the term. I find nothing scripturally wrong with congregations referring to a scheduled group of lessons as a meeting, revival, lectureship, conference, seminar, forum or other similar expression that conveys that idea. It seems the important thing would be what we do with the effort, not necessarily what we call it. Which brings me back to the idea of “revival.” We know the importance of being refreshed. On a daily basis we are in need of physical, emotional and spiritual renewal. We need lifting up. We need filling up. We need to be revitalized. If this does not happen, then the end result is weakness, discouragement and ultimately failure. God’s people through the ages have understood the need for spiritual revival. In Psalm 80 Asaph prayed, “Revive us, and we will call upon Thy name. Restore us O Lord God of hosts; make your face shine upon us that we may be saved” (Psalm 80:18-19). In Isaiah 57 God spoke of our dwelling with Him as a means of receiving revival. “I dwell in the high and holy place with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit; to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite” (Isaiah 57:15). The very act of rendering obedience to the gospel is designed to bring renewal and restoration. Peter and John taught this in Acts 3. “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). The forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with our Creator brings “seasons of refreshing.” What does this have to do with our efforts this week? We will all benefit greatly from this study of God’s word. We will be reminded of how God refreshes us and why we committed our lives to Him. Indeed we will be revived – if we are here. Let us pray, “Revive us again” and then let us take advantage of the many opportunities for the renewing of our hearts and minds TJS
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