- By Rev. Chandran J. Lite
- Posted 12/31/2017
"Will You not revive us again ?" V.6
"Decline and Fall of the American Empire" was written by Larry Elliott, economics editor for the British newspaper, The Guardian. He says,"The experience of both Rome and Britain suggests that it is hard to stop the rot once it has set in, so here are a few of the warning signs of trouble ahead : military overstretch,a widening guilt between rich and poor, a hollowed-out economy, citizens using debt to live beyond their means...The high levels of violent crime, epidemic of obesity, addiction to pornography and excessive use of energy may be telling us something: The US is in an advanced state of cultural decadence". Not only cultural decadence, but spiritual and moral decadence as well. Elliott's article concludes with this : "America must rediscover the qualities that originally made it great. That will not be easy".
Psalm 85 is a psalm about revival in the nation of Israel:
1. Why revival ?
There must have been a spiritual decline and a moral disaster in the land. As a result, God was displeased and angry(V. 4-5) with His people. Moral decline of God's people first and foremost affect the heart of God who is their Creator and a Redeemer. When the people of God fall from grace into moral decadence, they need a revival.
2. Who will revive ?
"Restore us again, God our Savior (V.4)" ; "Will You not revive us again "(V. 6)
The Psalmist knows for sure who will revive them - only God the Savior (V.4) C.S. Lewis once said, "Jesus Christ came into the world not to change a bad man into a good man, but to change a dead man into a living man".(Eph 2:1)
Moral decline leads a man to death and decay. Jesus Christ came not to reform man but to raise him from his spiritual death.
3. When will revival happen ? (V. 8)
"I will listen to what God the Lord says"..
When people of God repent and turn their ears to the word of God and obey His word, then, only then, revival is possible.
Do you want a revival in your life, family,church,society ? Read His word, and meditate upon it everyday, and, above all, put it into practice daily, you will see revival breaking out in your life.
God bless you.
Yours in His Service,
Servant Chandran Lite