Thanksgiving has always been the season where I sit back and thank God for as many things as I possibly can. Every year the list increases. Hopefully, this is because I am more grateful and realize more and more all that God has done for me. When reading this Psalm earlier in the day, I realized that I hadn't thanked God for everything. The one thing I need and desperately desire is for the reviving of my heart. The desire for this reviving comes straight from an overwhelming want to know the Gospel in its purity.
I am in no way saying that this desire is natural or even common for me every day, but that small moment when God is actually unrivaled in our thinking is when we pray with all our might for Him to work. Today has been sort of like that. I crave so badly to see all of our hearts revived to promote our Maker and His Gospel rather than promoting ourselves.
My mind automatically is drawn to the picture of a fire. This last fall we had a visual picture of what I picture revival to be. The wildfires in California have shown me that it takes just a small spark to create a huge blaze. It was the strong winds that created the uncontrollable fire that we watched day after day on the news. We kept battling against it and still couldn't control it.
When God begins the work of reviving our hearts it will begin as a small spark. By the Spirit (mighty, rushing wind) of God we will see it spread to uncontrollable measure. He breaths and leads our hearts to be ablaze so that others can see it and stand in awe of our Maker. The whole revival must be focused on GOD and His Gospel. As the end of Psalm 85 says, there will be increase because of the righteousness of God leading us in all Truth. Since God is in control, a time of reviving is dependent on the wisdom and guidance of One who has an eternal view. It may go for one day or for 300 years. It will all be done to His honor and glory. I am praying for you. I am praying for myself too.
Psalm 85
Revive Us Again
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
1 LORD, you were favorable to your land;you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
2 You forgave the iniquity of your people;you covered all their sin. Selah
3 You withdrew all your wrath;you turned from your hot anger.
4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation,and put away your indignation toward us!
5 Will you be angry with us forever?Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
6 Will you not revive us again,that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,and grant us your salvation.
8 Let me hear what God the LORD will speak,for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints;but let them not turn back to folly.
9Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him,that glory may dwell in our land.
10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;righteousness and peace kiss each other.
11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground,and righteousness looks down from the sky.
12 Yes, the LORD will give what is good,and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
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1 comment:
Thank you for those thoughts. The desire to know the Gospel should be overwhelming to us, and may we confess those moments when we seek to be satisfied with anything else. That Psalm is a blessing - You forgave the iniquity of your people, you covered all their sin. We have been treated with such grace and mercy!
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