“And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.” -Ezra 3:1
Many of the children of Israel had been living in exile. Far from home, they were in Babylon under the judgment of God for the sins they committed. No place to worship, little spirit of worship, and disconnected from God and each other. Yet, the Lord would bring them back, and all the way back. Back to Jerusalem, to worship as one man in the beginnings of a revival.
I read this text last night and, in some ways, it reminded me of the weeklong revival going on at Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky. If you have not seen or heard about it, just Google: “Asbury College Revival 2023.” Disclaimer, I have not been there personally, but the simple fact that thousands are coming from all over to this small Kentucky town to worship the Lord as one is encouraging to my heart. It appears that all the pretense that we prop ourselves up on in the Christian community has been dropped. It has been replaced with humility of mind and fervent praise. There seems to be a deep reverence for the Lord and open confession of sins. Prayers ascending for one another, this country, and nations abroad. The people are worshipping as one man. One might say, since I was not there I should not comment, which perhaps you are correct, so I say this. One thing is clear, people are hungry for God. They don’t want fog machines, attractive personalities, or pep talks. The worldly manner of drawing the world is shallow when compared to what God has to offer. People want to experience God. They want to know Christ. Do we not want the same? Are you hungry for Christ? To love Him, adore Him, worship Him, and experience Him. There are many who are hurting, struggling, and longing for the presence of Jesus Christ. Church people, lost people, brown people, black people, white people, young people, old people; the world is looking for Jesus. They are looking for Christ to reveal himself and restore us back to a place of worship within and without. To encounter the Holy Spirit, and have it change our lives. Take us from the depths of our sin and renew us into a right relationship with Him. He is the one to look for because He is the only one who can do it.
I have asked myself this week, why can’t we have revival here? If God will pour out His Spirit there, why not here? Why not in my life? Why not in yours? What is keeping this from spreading to the corners of the earth? Is it Him or us? Will it upset the status quo? Yes. Will it humble us? Yes. Will it change us? Yes. Revival fire is just that, a fire. It cannot be controlled or faked. It will consume and spread so long as there is a willing sacrifice. The people gathered as one man in Jerusalem and the next thing they did was rebuild the altar. We must build the altar and lay ourselves on that altar. Praying God will send the fire our way, for why should it be confined to Wilmore, Kentucky?
