Revived

In the 6th chapter of the book of Hosea, the prophet is calling the people of Israel to repentance, and this passage can provide motivation for us to draw nearer to God and allow Him to do His work in our hearts; we can see these words:
1 Come, and let us return to the Lord; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.
3 Let us know, Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

The people had departed; it appears their love for God had waned or grown cold.  They had experienced suffering and needed the healing touch of the Lord.  And, the prophet expressed confidence that revival was coming and that people would be raised up.  Well, Jesus, on that "third day," rose from the dead and has come to renew our lives, to bring us into relationship with Himself, and to give us new hearts and a new direction for His glory.

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In Psalm 85, we find a pertinent question in verse 6 about God's work in our lives; we can read:
6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?

The following verses say:
7 Show us Your mercy, Lord, And grant us Your salvation.
8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints; But let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land.

The year was 1970. A dean at a college chapel service asked students to share personal testimonies.  The service did not end for almost a week - it lasted for 144 hours.  That's according to Kentucky Today, in an exhaustive article written near the beginning of the 2023 Asbury revival on the campus of Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky. 

The article went on to say:

It was reported half the student body of 1,000 were part of witnessing teams sent out from Asbury to churches and colleges throughout the country. Asbury students visited Southwestern Seminary in March of 1970 and spoke after a chapel service, launching a revival there.

Kentucky pastor Tim Beougher included the occurrence at Southwestern in his article, which notes that he "...said the revival came during a time of intensity in America, particularly among students. Demonstrations were taking place at universities nationwide. In May 1970, several unarmed students were shot and killed at Kent State University. Multiple universities cancelled spring commencement exercises for fear of violence, he said."

The Kentucky Today article also noted:

Even as energy begins to wane, lives are being changed and lifelong chains broken through repentance and confession and outright praise for Jesus. There has also been testimony, a true sign of revival, according to a great theologian.

”Jonathan Edwards said revival seems to spread on the wings of testimony,” Beougher said. “(Testimony) From those who have been revived. Testifying to works of grace. It seems to ignite a spark in other individuals as well.”

In fact, Edwards outlined 5 characteristics of true revival, according to Beougher:

1. Jesus is honored; 2. Satan’s kingdom is opposed (repentance); 3. God’s Word is highly regarded; 4. God’s truth is revealed; 5. God and others are loved.

 Another Kentucky Today article featured Beougher's comments:

“Throughout the history of revivals, critics have pointed to some type of ‘excess’ accompanying a revival and tried to argue that ‘excess’ discredited the entire revival moment and meant it wasn’t truly a work of God,” Beougher wrote. “Jonathan Edwards answered that criticism during the First Great Awakening by using a helpful phrase: ‘in the main.’ What is at the heart of the movement? What is happening ‘in the main?’ There will always be ‘excess’ on the fringe, due to overly excited and not yet completely sanctified human beings and/or to Satanic opposition, but what is taking place ‘in the main?’ That is a helpful grid to evaluate movements like that taking place now at Asbury.

“What every believer should be doing right now, regardless of what you think about the early reports out of Asbury, is praying. Who would deny that we need revival in our churches and spiritual awakening in our land? God has visited this nation with powerful awakenings before — we study those great movements of revival in church history classes. Is Asbury the spark of another awakening? I don’t know — but I’m praying — and you should be, too!

Robby Gallaty of Long Hollow Baptist Church outside Nashville experienced a move of God in his congregation a few years ago. He wrote about it in a recent post on the Think Eternity website, saying there were 1,000 baptisms during a 15-week period in 2021. He traveled to Asbury recently and noted: "...what was evident to all in the room was the manifest presence of God as the people of God sang in unison to Him."

He went on to say: "No one sang out of routine or familiarity. Everyone intentionally focused on each word that rose from their lips. Worship songs I’ve sung for years seemed to have a deeper meaning. I believe the expectancy for God to move by those in the room led to a personal encounter with Him. The collective group anticipated God working in their lives. I wonder what would happen if we arrived each Sunday for worship with the same posture? Many times, we attend out of habit or routine, I’ve been guilty of that myself in the past. That was not the case at Asbury, at least from my perspective."

Gallaty shared several principles he has learned about revival:

1. You can’t plan for it.

2. Revival is messy. I’d rather have a messy move of God than a manufactured, man-made one any day.

3. You won’t see revival without risks.

4. Belief is the fuel that stokes the fire of revival.

5. You can’t manage it.

6. Discipleship must follow a move of God. Jesus never said, “make Christians or decisions.” He said, “Make disciples.”

The schedule for revival services at Asbury is changing this week. WDRB Television reported that, "The school's president, Dr. Kevin J. Brown, said he's trying to balance the incredible moment happening at the school and the needs of its students and their academic experience."  Starting today, there will be services open during the afternoon and evening worship for those 25 and under. Services will move off-campus staring this Friday. Asbury's website on a page called, "Outpouring," states there will be a livestream service this Thursday night to honor the Collegiate Day of Prayer. 

I have been following quite closely the reports out of Wilmore, Kentucky at Asbury University.  There have been many on social media who have celebrated what God has been doing there, and I stand with them.  Jim Garlow's reporting has been especially helpful, and I am thankful that he was in Wilmore over the weekend after being out of the country.  I think we can continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to move in the lives of young people as the "Outpouring" enters this new phase.

And, we see the fires of revival spreading - reports of Lee University, Cedarville University, and Alabama's own Samford University experiencing the leading of the Holy Spirit through the students. 

One phenomenon online is that there are those who have approached what is occurring at Asbury with skepticism.  I appreciate those who are willing to follow the instruction of the Scriptures and "test the spirits," according to 1st John chapter 4.

There have been all sorts of reports that have been disseminated on social media, and while there may be questionable actions attributed to this move of God, I would submit that at its core, there is something that is supernaturally occurring and that lives are being touched and changed.  The days and weeks to come will determine the lasting effects of this event, but I am seeing the glory go to Jesus; there are reports of confession of sin, which is a mark of revival, and there is an exaltation of Christ.  I don't know to what extent the gospel is being preached, but I have been impressed with the embrace of the leadership of Asbury in what they are experiencing on their campus. 

And, we can look to the events at Asbury as a catalyst for personal revival.  We can allow the Holy Spirit to move in our hearts, to convict us of sin, and to cleanse our hearts and prepare us for serving God more wholeheartedly.