REVIVE US AGAIN!

 

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

 

REVIVE US AGAIN!

 

2 Tim 1:6

6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

 

An old man, stooped and sore, slowly rises to approach the fireplace on a damp and chilly night. The fire which once was roaring has slowed to a flicker and no longer warms the bones. He draws back the screen and with the long iron poker he stirs the ashes. Wearily, he reaches for another dry log and then another and places them just so upon the coals. He then takes the bellows and blows fresh air upon the embers not to blow them out but to blow them into new life. Ah, soon the new wood becomes part of the old fire and once again the comfort of a roaring fire is felt upon the old man’s back.

 

The Fire goes out through neglect!

 

In view of the frequent modern use of "revive" and "revival," it is worthy of notice that it is to Timothy himself the exhortation is addressed. We too often merely pray for "revivals," forgetting that it is for us to "stir into flame" the gift of the Spirit which we have already received of God. It is ours from Him, but we let it lie dormant, as a slumbering ember merely.

W. L. WALKER (from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia)

 

Often, we are aware of the slowly dying fire inside us but the chill has not provided sufficient motivation to rise from our laziness and to stir and stoke the flames. The chill becomes more and more uncomfortable, but we will not move until it becomes unbearable.

 

The Fire Requires Fuel!

 

Heb 2:3

3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

 

Ø Bible study, both public and personal provides the fuel for revival.

Ø Contact with other believers through worship at church is essential. A lone log will not burn well in the fireplace.

 

A Fire Requires good ventilation – Fresh Air!

 

Acts 2:2-3

2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

 

Prayer is essential if revival is to come!

 

A Fire Requires Heat!

 

Jer 23:29

29 Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?

 

Buried deep inside the chilled ashes of the ordinary believer is a spark that longs to be fanned into new life. It calls to us and challenges our carelessness. We dismiss it but it remains. We ignore it but it still burns deep inside. It is that FIRST LOVE we once shared with the Savior.

 

Rev 2:4

4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

 

The two-fold remedy for those who had left their first love was to REPENT and to REMEMBER. If we would abandon our sins and remember the joy of a fervent relationship with Christ, then revival might come. Let us pray earnestly for it!

 

Dear Lord, there is a longing deep inside for something more in my relationship with you. I know that I am to blame. Blow upon me with your breath and rekindle the fire of revival in me. AMEN