Before we can experience God’s fullest blessing, an individual or churches’ assembly must meet the conditions which God has laid down in His Word.
In every phase of life there are certain basic which must be met before we can expect God’s blessing.
Among these basics there is Honesty—Integrity—Purity—these in turn produce sterling and blameless Christian character which evokes the blessing of God.
Spiritual revival is no exception to this rule. When God’s conditions are met, then revival will surely come. Longing to see revival, making detailed and elaborate plans, preparing long and earnestly for it, it is no guarantee that God will grant it.
It is absolutely useless to cry to God for revival if we as individuals, or as a local church are not right with God. We must ask ourselves, “Is my heart pure? Are my hands clean?” Psalm 24.
The way to revival is paved with stringent, but clear spiritual laws. These laws were first laid out in one verse of Scripture, 500 B.C. and they have never been modified nor changed.
“If my people who are called by My name—shall humble themselves—and pray—and seek My face—and turn from their wicked ways, Then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.”
Penitent—crushed—broken—confession—repentance, submissive, free from pride or short comings.
The firs step on the way to revival and blessing is that we humble ourselves showing a consciousness of one’s defeats, or shortcomings.
Hezekiah “humbled himself” from the pride of his heart. Manassah “in his afflictions” humbled himself greatly before God. Josiah-God blessed Josiah because his heart was tender and he humbled himself before God.
These three men were the leaders of one of the greatest revivals in Israel’s history. 2 Chronicles 32 thru 34.
The mighty power of God shook these remote islands, as these simple fisher folk called a fast and a solemn assembly in deep humility. They waited upon God with tear-stained faces, with broken hearts. Despite physical fatigue they continued in long and painful travail, humbly asking God to save their fellow man. These humbled believers had a burning vision for the Hebredes and a burdened passion for lost souls. God answered with a mighty revival.
This humbleness entails a total abandonment of self and a complete surrender to the will of God.
The second condition for revival is prayer. Hebredes’ revival. Humility is first—prayer is second. Power of Prayer.
The spiritual attitudes of humility and prayer will move the hand of Him Who rules the universe. To love God, etc. Love our neighbor. To the Love the Lord, to love one another, forgive one another, to be united in prayer.
What we need to bring about revival is for those in fellowship to covenant with God and one another to uphold the preacher as he presents the Gospel. Acts 2.
When God’s people are right with Him and His servants are right with Him, the Word will flow towards men irresistibly—the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Having said this we must conclude, our prayers are ineffective because of our spiritual condition.
Example of humility and prayer. Eph 3:20
Leah had four laughing children around her.
Barren Rachel was mocked by men and despised by the women.
Rachel’s eyes were red from weeping—her hair was disheveled and her voice hoarse with groaning and agonizing in prayer.
She came to Jacob in her humiliation and despair. She cried with a desperate cry, “Give me children or I die.” Such a dejected, disconsolate and errant prayer tore Jacob’s heart apart.
God intervened and opened Rachel’s womb and through her, God blessed and saved the nation through Joseph.
Hannah sobbing in the sanctuary—poured out of her soul—and received her answers in Samuel, prophet of Israel.
From Pentecost until now there has not been a spiritual awakening in the land which has not begun in prayer, no movement has continued to prosper after such effectual prayer has declined.
Prayer is the slender nerve that moves the muscles of Omnipotence.
“And seek my Face”
In the O.T. context it was an unusual thing for anyone to see the august face of the King. There was a tremendous risk involved. Esther said, “If I perish, I perish.”
At Mordecai’s insistence Esther resolved to seek the face of King Ahasues. She called on all Jews to fast and pray for three days. Danger—Potential. She broke through protocol and social codes, conventional.
Because of the intense preparations and faith in God she was received by the King and the Jewish nation was saved from extinction. She spoke with the king face to face. POWER.
P.O.W. experience.
At Peniel, Jacob said, “I have seen God face to face.” Whole night with God. This began the most fruitful part of Israel’s life. Gen 32:30.
Consider also Joshua as he contemplated the siege of Jericho. He met the Captain of the Lord’s hosts, face to face. (Theophany)
From this point God’s blessings fell on Joshua and he was equipped and empowered to conquer all.
Do we know the victory of breaking through the adversaries, overcoming all hindrances and finally arriving in the Presence and looking on the face of God. Change and Power. Isaiah saw Him—Paul saw Him—John saw Him.
There is blessing—victory—and purpose of life in seeing the King, the Lord of hosts. See Isaiah vision in Isa 6.
1. Vs. 3
There was the revelation of the Lord. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts.
2. Vs. 5
Because his eyes saw the Lord, Isaiah falls prostate in utter humiliation, confessing his total unworthiness, unclean lips, living with a people whose lips were also unclean.
3. Vs. 6
The seraphim then came with a live coal from the fire on the alter and touched his lips—then he announced that Israel’s iniquity was taken away, and his sin was purged. V. 7 Sanctification.
Consecration—“Who will go for us?” “Here I am, send me!” The command, “Go and tell this people, etc.”
In each of these instances where the Lord was seen by an individual was a release of divine power—there was a new life directive—and there was blessing hitherto unknown. Vision of fields white unto harvest. Passion for souls.
At this time may we strive to see God’s face.
Left first love—luke-warmness
And turn from their wicked ways. Fourthly, pride, unbelief. Form of Godliness—coldness of heart. Backsliding, hypocrisy, murmuring. The fourth essential for revival is that we turn away from our wicked ways.
Many of God’s dear children engage in some form of prayer—read the Word daily—endeavor to find God’s way for their life—yet cling to some sin, or habit, or feeling while prevent renewal and revival. Demas. Castaway.
The seriousness of sin, Miriam. Sin in the assembly. Aachan. The Psalmist says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me. Psalm 66:19.
The writer to the Hebrews says, “Follow holiness, without which no man can see the Lord.”
Our lives must be cleansed before divine blessing and power can flow and revival can come. “Lay the axe to the root of the tree.” Sin must be dealt with ruthlessly.
Secret sins, enslaving habits, the sin that doth so easily ensnare must be crucified before He can send revival. We must humble ourselves, pray the effectual, fervent prayer, seek God’s face, and turn from sin.
The preciousness and authority of the Scriptures. Pre-tribulation. The hidden truths of the Rapture of the church. The frequency of the Lord’s Supper. The covering of sister’s heads in church meetings. Prayer meetings—Bible study.
Matthew 18:4 “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 23:17 “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
“O Lord revive Thy work in the midst of years make….”