Revive Us Again Psalm 85

Revive Us Again- Psalms 85

In our spiritual journeys, we often find ourselves longing for a deeper connection with God. We yearn for that passionate fire that once burned brightly in our hearts. But how do we rekindle that flame? How do we experience true revival in our lives?

The path to spiritual renewal isn't always easy, but it's a journey worth taking. Let's explore four essential pillars that can lead us back to a vibrant, thriving relationship with God.

1. Remembering God's Faithfulness

Our spiritual amnesia can sometimes be astounding. We forget the countless ways God has shown up in our lives, the battles He's fought for us, and the grace He's lavished upon us. But remembering is crucial for revival.

Think back to your own life. Recall the times when God provided when you thought all hope was lost. Remember the moments of unexpected blessing, the prayers answered in ways you never imagined. These aren't just nice memories – they're testimonies to God's unwavering faithfulness.

As the Psalmist wrote, "You showed favor to your land, O Lord. You restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins." (Psalm 85:1-2)

God's faithfulness isn't just a thing of the past. If He was faithful then, He will be faithful now and in the future. Let this truth anchor your present hope and fuel your desire for revival.

2. Repenting of Sin

Revival and repentance go hand in hand. We can't experience true spiritual renewal while clinging to our old ways. Repentance isn't just for non-believers – it's a vital practice for every child of God who wants to walk in holiness and purity.

The beauty of repentance is that it leads to restoration. When we turn from our sins and ask for forgiveness, God doesn't just do a surface-level cleanup. He does a complete restoration, making us new creatures in Christ.

However, repentance isn't a one-time event. It's an ongoing process of turning away from sin and towards God. As Psalm 85:8 warns, "Let them not return to folly." Once we've experienced God's forgiveness and restoration, we must be vigilant not to fall back into old patterns.

3. Receiving His Word

In our quest for revival, we can't underestimate the power of God's Word. The Bible isn't just a book – it's life, hope, peace, guidance, and everything we need. If we're not regularly reading and meditating on Scripture, we're missing out on one of God's primary tools for bringing revival to our hearts.

Psalm 85:8 says, "I will listen to what God the Lord will say." Notice it doesn't say "hear," but "listen." There's a crucial difference. Listening implies not just hearing the words, but taking them to heart and allowing them to shape our lives.

When we face challenges and struggles, we can pour out our hearts to God. He has big shoulders and can handle our questions and doubts. But when He speaks through His Word, we must listen and obey. It's through this process of pouring out and listening that we experience the "storm-free peace" that God promises – not a life without trials, but a peace that transcends our circumstances.

4. Rejoicing in What's Coming

Finally, revival involves looking forward with hope and anticipation. Psalm 85:10-13 paints a beautiful picture of what's to come: "Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest."

This isn't just poetic language – it's a promise of the harmony and abundance that come with revival. When we align our hearts with God's, we experience the meeting of love and faithfulness, the kiss of righteousness and peace. We see God's faithfulness manifested in our lives and His righteousness guiding our steps.

But here's the key: we can't just sit back and wait for revival to happen. Like a farmer tending his fields, we must prepare the soil of our hearts. We must actively engage in remembering God's faithfulness, repenting of our sins, receiving His Word, and looking forward in hope.

As we do this, we create the conditions for revival to flourish. We position ourselves to receive the rain of God's presence and the harvest of spiritual fruit in our lives.

Practical Steps Towards Revival

So how do we put these principles into practice? Here are some practical steps:

1. Start a gratitude journal, recording daily instances of God's faithfulness.
2. Set aside regular time for self-examination and repentance.
3. Commit to a daily Bible reading plan, focusing not just on reading but on listening and applying God's Word.
4. Cultivate an attitude of expectancy, looking for signs of God's work in and around you.

Remember, revival isn't just about emotional highs or temporary spiritual excitement. It's about a deep, lasting transformation that affects every area of our lives. It's about moving from just "liking" God to truly loving Him and being faithful to Him.

As we pursue revival, let's not forget that it starts with us. We can't wait for someone else to grab the firewood and start the fire. We each need to take responsibility for our own spiritual temperature.

The promise of revival is beautifully captured in Psalm 85:6: "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" This is God's heart for us – that we would experience His reviving power and find our deepest joy in Him.

So let's not settle for spiritual mediocrity. Let's not be content with just going through the motions. Instead, let's hunger and thirst for true revival. Let's prepare the soil of our hearts, trusting that God will bring the increase.

Revival is coming. Will you be ready?

Pastor Skott