Steps of Revival: Hear
In the last part of our study through Psalm 85, we saw the need for revival, and how it often stems from neglect of our relationship with God. We may desire revival, as the psalmist did, crying out to God,
“Wilt Thou not revive us again, that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?” (Psalm 85:6)
And yet, while we may recognize the need for revival, we often think it is something far off, beyond our reach unless God decides to do some large-scale miracle. But revival is personal, and happens heart by heart. If you study out the history of large-scale revivals such as the Welsh Revival or the Great Awakening, you will see that that they rose and fell upon the responses of individual hearts to the truths presented.
But if revival is attainable, the question becomes, How?
The key is found in verse 8 of Psalm 85:
“I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.”
Notice the first step: “I will hear what God the Lord will speak.” If you want to be revived, you have to hear what God says. This has two aspects:
Hearing the Word of God
One sure way to hear what God says is to read what He has already said to us in His Word. Time spent in the Bible, reading, studying, and pondering is never wasted. It is during those times that the Holy Spirit speaks to us, pointing out a verse or striking a truth home to our hearts.
It can be difficult to carve out large chunks of time for Bible study, but it is always worth the effort! And passages committed to memory can be carried around in one’s heart and mind, to be pondered on or reveled in throughout the day.
Hearing the Spirit of God
The Holy Spirit isn’t just some force or energy: He is a Person, fully equal and fully unified with God the Father and with Jesus. If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, you have God Himself living in you. Why? Here’s what Jesus said the Spirit would do:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26
Even when we do not have a Bible in front of our eyes, the Holy Spirit can bring to remembrance the things we have read and memorized from God’s Word. As Psalm 119:11 says,
“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.”
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to teach, comfort, and convict our hearts of sin. Neglect of the Bible and neglect of prayer allow the clamor of the world to drown out the Spirit’s voice.
If you want revival, you must be ready and willing to hear what God has to say to you.
So how about you, dear reader? Are you ready and willing to hear and obey God’s Word and the promptings of the Holy Spirit today?
“Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” Luke 11:28