Recently, I was contacted about an ongoing move of God throughout southern Missouri. Many different churches are conducting Tent Meetings where people are being drawn and responding to the gospel. A spontaneous revival just broke out in a local church near Asheville. The excitement in that packed auditorium was so profound that the meeting was extended for the entire week. Ten professed faith on the last night. A pastor friend in Bonita Springs held an Easter sunrise service on the beach with 1,500 in attendance. He said it reminded him of the 70’s when scores of people were converted. Two Sundays ago a church near Chicago baptized 203 people on a Sunday morning. New Hope Baptist in Burlington is experiencing a fresh spirit of revival. I’m driving down tonight to speak. Also, I keep hearing about college campuses where thousands attend evangelistic gatherings and many are professing Christ and getting baptized. How encouraging to learn about the REVIVAL WINDS BLOWING in various places!
Below are some thoughts from Psalm 85. Trust these thoughts resonate and encourage you as you seek the Lord.
REVIVAL PSALM
Psalm 85 depicts a longing for an enlivening recovery. It is a heart-cry to heaven. It begins with an ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of God’s mercies…
- You have been favorable and restored the fortunes of Jacob – v. 1
- You have forgiven and covered iniquity – v. 2
- You have turned away your wrath – v. 3
After acknowledging God’s grace from the past, the Psalmist makes a bold APPEAL…
- Restore us again and put away your anger – vs. 4-5
- Revive us again and bring a spirit of rejoicing – v. 6
- He is asking God to repeat His revitalizing grace—“revive us again.”
On the heels of this appeal, he ANTICIPATES God’s speaking voice…
- “I will hear what God the Lord will speak” – v. 8
- “He will speak peace to His saints – v. 8
- He was confidently expecting to hear from the Lord.
Next, the Psalmist’ prayer reveals his strong desire to ACQUIRE God’s presence…
- “That glory may dwell in our land” – v. 9
- Truth will spring forth out of the earth – v. 11
- Righteousness will look down from heaven – v. 11
- “The Lord will give that which is good” – v. 12
- “Our land will yield its increase” – v. 12
- His righteousness will lead our footsteps in His path – v. 13
This Revival Psalm provides a wonderful pattern for prayer, as well as a guide to spiritual restoration. Use it as a roadmap for recovery. Take heart in the fact that renewals can be repeated. God in mercy, longs to revive and restore His people. Anything that God has done historically can happen presently. Past blessings point to future mercies.
Something needs to happen, and it needs to happen corporately. So let us lift our voices in intense prayer—‘Will you not revive US again, that your people may rejoice in You?’ Let’s employ this powerful prayer for a return of His glory in our lands.
– Harold Vaughan
