Reflections on Revival

Reflections on Revival (click the arrow to listen)

I have found this study of the lives of ten of Israel and Judah’s kings both personally challenging and revealing. Certainly, it has provided a list of character or behaviour weaknesses of which any leader should be aware. All these kings seemed to have the same story: beginning well yet ending badly or weakly. But all of their downfalls seemed avoidable if they had had more humility and an ear to hear the wisdom of God. I have been continuously reminded when writing this reflection of an observation from the writings of the late Dallas Willard. In Chapter 9 of his book ‘The Great Omission’, he discusses this and quotes the observation of someone who trained Christian leaders:

“Few ministers finish well” (p94).

I found that really difficult to embrace when I first read it - "few ministers finish well"; yet that principle clearly came through in this study of the kings.

fading

A study of the history of Christian revivals shows that they all come to an end at some point. This end is not necessarily sudden. The revival work may tail away in a manner which means that the people involved do not always notice the changes occurring as the power of God’s presence wanes. In principle, I would judge that God’s presence is proportional to the amount of faith and obedience from the heart; but we need to factor into that, human weakness. Every leader has weaknesses: some are clearly weaknesses of character and these might be addressed with more humility and an ear to hear wisdom from God. But something which might be less easily recognised is physical and mental weakness.

In the revivals I have experienced or read about, the power and presence of God has been so freely released that it is inevitable that people spend as much time as possible away from earthly distractions to enjoy that presence. Meetings happening every day and sometimes more than once a day are common. And while the power of the Spirit can bring divine energy and capabilities, this is not guaranteed to last indefinitely. Moses’ radiance faded when he left the mountain. After his victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah ran for his life to recuperate. Jesus slept in the boat as it pitched during a frightening squall. Evan Roberts, a central person of the Welsh Revival, had to retire from the work and, subsequently, practically became a recluse. Those three years had exhausted Evan by their natural physical demands. But also, he was pressed down by spiritual opposition and criticism from others.

limits

How should we interpret these things; what is to be learned? I do find the story of Josiah particularly distressing. I have had the privilege of being part of a reviving work: it blazed for a time but has now dimmed and died. But the experience has given more meaning to my prayers for revival. I pray for the Lord to break out anywhere that He finds hearts and faith ready to receive his Word and work. I would love to know the privilege of being part of such a moving again, but if not, I still pray that the Holy Spirit will be able to break through somewhere. I frequently ask the question: “Is there any limit on how long a work of revival can last?”

All revivals dim and die in the end. Yet I am sure that the fruit will be long-lasting in the hearts of some of the people involved. Nevertheless, that particular powerful presence in gathered crowds has long gone. I see in this a factor of human inherent sinfulness. We are inherently sinful; and even though we can know our sins are forgiven, we cannot seem to hold on to the glory of God. This was illustrated by what happened to Moses after spending time in God’s presence:

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, his face was radiant, and they were afraid to come near him … When Moses finished speaking to them, he put a veil over his face. (Exodus 34:29-33)

The radiance he experienced slowly dissipated.

The radiance of all recorded revivals eventually passes away whether the Methodist Revival of the 18^th century or the Welsh Revival of the 20^th. I think we should accept this is what will happen. However, it in no way diminishes the value of the work that happened at the time. Although the outward manifestations of revivals may seem to disappear, the spiritual fruit born into the hearts and lives of those touched is of an eternal quality.

anointing

Josiah’s revival began when there was an awakened interest in the written Word of God. This same interest in the bible is also a strong feature of all revivals. But, remember, the New Testament was written while the reviving Spirit was still strongly at work in the first century. That is why we do not accept any more writings into the canon of scripture: that particular anointing had faded. But because the scriptures were inspired during revival, they still contain that revival anointing of the Spirit. But sadly, the scriptures can also be veiled: hiding their true power which God wants to reveal to us:

But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. (2 Corinthians 3:14-15)

It is a truth that God needs to unveil our hearts and minds to see His glory in the scriptures, and then find grace to believe in their truth and put it into practice. In revival, this occurs whatever the personal loss or cost involved. Lukewarm attitudes to scripture and fashionable reinterpretations to make their message more “palatable” to "modern" people are a sure dampener to the presence of God moving powerfully in revival.

Being in church leadership does not automatically mean that someone has an inspired anointing. The anointing is not really something that can be taught: it is learned under the tests and trials of a life lived in complete commitment to Jesus. It also requires a particular state of heart which only God can see; and then judge is suitable to receive that anointing.

purpose

Of course, we have to accept that revival is a sovereign work of God and not something we can demand. Jesus alluded to this when speaking of the Spirit:

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. (John 3:8)

If we extend the weather analogy a little further, we know that weather is seasonal, it changes as it wishes, but we cannot control it. Sometimes the weather is very kind and brings much blessing. At other times it brings trials and challenges. But whatever the weather, life is still possible. In the divine purposes of God, spiritual life continues, sometimes with special seasons and blessings, while at other times with trials. This is not God being ungenerous, but the Spirit moving as He sees fit. I am always mindful that God does not want to hold back; he only does so according to His purposes and according to what the situation requires. As Jesus said, God is instinctively generous:

For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. (John 3:34)

There is no limit on what he will give if we are in a condition to receive.

triumph

As a final reflection, and in consideration of Josiah’s story, God is prepared to commit the Spirit’s work to people who have weaknesses. Paul reveals this fascinating truth:

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. (1 Corinthians 1:25)

It seems strange to attribute foolishness and weakness to God, the omnipotent Creator and Ruler of the universe. Yet in His dealing with us there is a truth here. God does not try to impress people everywhere and in every age, with demonstrations of power such as happened with Jesus in his ministry. Of course, even His demonstrations were criticised by some who witnessed them. No, instead, Jesus died on a cross: ‘He was crucified in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 13:4). Furthermore, this powerful message of salvation is to be preached by fallible, weak people. We are entrusted with a message of eternal consequences.

Surely, we might ask, there must be a more effective way to reach the world? But, no, God chooses this way. God’s weakness is His delegating the message of eternal salvation to fallible people. And inevitably it will go wrong. Even leaders as committed as Josiah can lose their way. The work will suffer; people will be disappointed, even hurt. The world will mock any downfalls. But still God’s foolishness is stronger because the gospel continues to triumph. Somewhere in the world when a work of revival disappears, another work appears, and the Kingdom of God triumphs again:

For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. (2 Corinthians 4:6-7)