We all need times of revival in our own personal lives- times we feel dry or disconnected from God.
The New Year is a great time to begin to pray for personal revival. Simply ask God to “revive you again”. Take this scripture to Him and ask it as a gift for yourself.
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? -Psalm 85:6
When was the last time things were so tough that you felt desperate?
That is how the psalmist felt in several of the psalms in the Bible (Psalms 10, 12, 77 for example).
When you feel overwhelmed and desperate, it is ok to cry out to the Lord. Tell Him exactly how you feel. Be real. (He knows anyway, but you will feel better when you tell Him.)
Then it is wise to remember the good and righteous things He has done for you already. List them and thank Him. Tell Him politely that you are looking for His good again.
Exercise:
Read Psalm 77 then tell God about the most troubling thing going on in your life right now. List the good things He’s done, then look to Him for help.
1I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me.
2In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
3I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah.
4Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
5I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.
6I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.
7Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more?
8Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore?
9Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.
10And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High.
11I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
12I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.
13Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?
14Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people.
15Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.
16The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee; they were afraid: the depths also were troubled.
17The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad.
18The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
19Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.
20Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron. (King James Version, biblegateway.com)
There’s a quote that I’ve seen several times lately:
Don’t rest from your work, work from your rest.
That could mean a bunch of different things, but when I read it, it speaks to me of this verse:
For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15, biblegateway.com)
Returning: to Who? God
Rest: How? in prayer and waiting
Quietness: Why? in order to listen and hear His voice
Confidence: in Whom? if we were capable of doing what we must or surviving the latest trial, we wouldn’t need God. He puts us in positions where we use up our talents or wisdom and can only persevere by our confidence that He will do the work in and through us- and that He will be glorified
What happens next? We are saved and find strength.
Assignment: Pray about the places in life you feel stretched thin or worn out. Ask God about it. Meditate on Isaiah 30:15. What is it saying to you?
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