A Systematic Expository Study of the Word of God

Special Study: KEEPING THE REVIVAL FIRE BURNING

In Bible times as well as in contemporary times, nations, communities and individuals have experienced revival but history is replete with examples of those who never kept the revival fire burning. Israel experienced revival in Egypt, sang the song of Moses after crossing the Red Sea. However they got dispirited in the wilderness and lost the victory. The revival waned and majority of them perished in the wilderness. Israel experienced revival again under the leadership of Joshua but there arose another generation after him who couldn’t keep the fire burning, they want to serve idols (Judges 2:1-10).
Israel’s history covering the period of the judges was one of constant oscillation between the two extremes of revival and backsliding. Saul as the king of Israel experienced personal revival at the commencement of his reign — a new heart, a prophetic gift, a new anointing, a divine call, divine backing etc — but he could not maintain the fire. He gradually drifted from the light of the Lord into the darkness of the Devil. He forsook the priests of God for the witch of Endor.
The fact that we have experienced or are experiencing revival does not automatically guarantee that the revival fire will keep on burning. Like Israel, we may personally decide to go back to folly, in which case the fire will be quenched (Psalm 85:6-8). However, the fire need not die, we can add fresh fuel to the fire and it will burn on. Tonight we are considering four important areas that we can pay attention to in order to keep the revival fire burning.

CONSTANCY IN DEVOTION
Isaiah 50:4,5; Mark 1:35; Genesis 19:27; Psalm 5:3; 55:17; John 5:39; Luke 10:39; Acts 17:11; Romans 12:11.

Much dryness and defeat in the lives of many christians can be traced to the absence of an enriching devotion. Constancy and consistency in devotion helps to keep the freshness of the spiritual life. Through it we maintain our spiritual momentum, sharpen our spiritual perception, cultivate intimacy with God and keep in step with the Spirit. Seasons of personal intercession, Bible reading, meditation and study help to fan the flame of God burning in the soul.
Regular attendance at fellowships provides us with necessary exhortations that help prevent the heart from growing cold, our spiritual life from growing stale and help to keep us on the path of righteousness (Hebrews 3:12,13; 10:25). Our lives come aglow with the glory of His presence. The longer we stay with God in the closet, the brighter we shine in our spiritual lives for we reflect His glory.

CHRISTLIKENESS IN DISPOSITION
1 John 2:6; Colossians 2:6; Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Peter 2:21; Hebrews 12:2; James 4:10; Romans 12:3; John 8:29.

The only way to maintain an on going revival fire is to be Christlike in disposition — humility, compassion for the lost, servanthood etc. If we walk like Christ walked, we can be sure that God’s revival fire will keep burning in our souls. If the same mind which was in Christ Jesus resides within us, we will be able to keep on the firing line.
The rebellious will dwell in a dry land but those who are easily correctable, obedient and willing to do God’s will surely will partake of the bounties of the land flowing with milk and honey (Psalm 68:6; Isaiah 1:19).
Our disposition should reflect the gentleness of the Lord as opposed to the bossy, authoritative poise of the Pharisees. It should reflect Christ’s understanding attitude to human needs rather than the selfish disposition of the elders of the people.
If we please God always like Jesus did, our revival fire will of necessity keep on burning (1 John 8:29).

COMMITMENT TO DUTY
Proverbs 11:25; Matthew 20:6; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Daniel 12:3; Hebrews 6:10-12; Isaiah 58:10.

The path of duty is the path of growth and freshness. He that waters surely will be watered. God gives us grace to match our task and duty. The grace, power, anointing, insight, revelation that we receive from the Lord will be in proportion to God’s expectation of us and our commitment to His work.
God will not give His grace to those who want to be idle all the day long for such will only receive the grace of God in vain (Matthew 20:6; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 6:1). God is always renewing the strength of those who are diligent in His service. He will shine as the stars for ever and ever (Daniel 12:3). It is good that we bear the yoke of Christ. It will not break us but discipline and develop us. Christ’s yoke is easy, His burden is light! (Lamentation 3:27; Matthew 11:28-30).

COUNSELLING IN DISTRESS
1 Kings 19:1-21; Psalm 23:3; 73:2,3; Proverbs 11:14; 12:15; 13:10; 15:22; 20:18; 24:6; Numbers 21:4; Nehemiah 4:10; Proverbs 13:12; Psalm 27:14.

Life is not a paved sidewalk, there are bumps and rocks along life’s pathway. Problems, crisis, disappointments, misrepresentation etc are all part of life’s package. Problems can overwhelm a person, crisis can disorient him, disappointment can sap all of his vital energy, misrepresentation can make him to despair of life. All the above can be sources of distress and if not wisely handled can destroy a person’s life and quench the revival fire.
Immediately following the restoration of backslidden Israel and the revival of true worship of God, Jezebel’s threat sent Elijah packing. He ran into the wilderness and wished to die. Elijah had no counsellor or companion and when life’s fiery battles raged, he could not stand alone. It is good at such times to seek counselling from godly companions and leaders. Such counselling will restore the confused soul, encourage the dampened spirit, boost our waning faith, renew our confidence in the Lord and hence help us to keep on the firing line.