Steve Gaines

Will You not Yourself revive us again,
that Your people may rejoice in You?
- Psalm 85:6

What is revival? In the Old Testament it was when the glory of God filled the house of God. The priests would have to suspend their religious duties due to the fact that God’s manifest presence in the Temple was so glorious they could do nothing but fall prostrate and worship Him in the beauty of His holiness. In the New Testament revival is when the Spirit of God so fills and infuses the people of God with divine life and power that they are shaken, the place where they worship is shaken (Acts 4:31), and the community around them is shaken. Revival can be defined as when God Himself comes to church!

The Psalmist prayed fervently for this. Note his prayer and how it gives us insight into several aspects of revival.

Revival Is about the Preeminence of God

God is referred to no fewer than four times in this one verse – “You…Yourself…Your…You”! Does this not indicate that revival is about God being glorified, not man? Revival is of Him, through Him, and to Him. When He is lifted up and magnified, His glory fills our hearts individually, and our gatherings corporately. God will share His glory with no man. But when He is magnified, He will shine His glory on all men.

Revival Is about the Presence of God

“Will you not Yourself revive us.” Revival is “part and parcel” with the Presence of God. When He shows up, he imparts renewal, rejuvenation, and revival. In His presence there is fullness of joy. He Himself is the greatest of all blessings. When He fills an individual with Himself, that person forgets the cheap allurements of the world and focuses solely upon God Himself. When he comes to a local church, the people of God focus on Him, not stale programs and procedures.

Revival Is About the Power of God

“Will you not Yourself revive us.” “Revive” here means to “bring back from the dead.” When God breathes new life into His people, awesome things begin to happen. Lost people give their hearts to Christ and experience regeneration. They become new creations – old things pass away and new things come into their lives. Christians also are set free from sinful strongholds that have plagued them (often secretly) for many years. Families and marriages are miraculously restored. People are healed spiritually, emotionally, and even physically. Communities are transformed by the power of the Gospel and the impact of changed lives. We get to see what God can do rather than what man can do!

Revival Is about the Praise of God

“That Your people may rejoice in You.” When God comes to church, no one has to beg people to sing and worship. There is a heavenly “buzz” in the air. God’s Spirit permeates the place and the times of praise and worship. People begin to express their love and adoration for God Biblically with shouts of praise (saying “Amen! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Glory to God!). There is freedom to lift their hands and also clap their hands to the Lord. They come before Him with joyful singing, entering His gates with heartfelt thanksgiving and His courts with melodious hearts of genuine praise.

Most of our Southern Baptist churches are dying. Our denomination’s membership numbers and baptisms are declining steadily each year. What we’re doing is not working. We need God back in our churches. We need revival! Join the Psalmist and pray the prayer in the above verse today. “Revive us again!”

Psalm 16:11,

Steve Gaines