Revival

“Revive us, and we will call on your name.” (Psalm 80:81)

It began in the relatively small university of Asbury in Wilmore, Kentucky nearly two weeks ago.  Wednesday morning chapel that day was like any other chapel at the university.  Their speaker brought a good message on God’s love and how experiencing his love will help us love others.  The chapel ended, and it was at that point that Wednesday chapel changed.  No one left.  Instead, the students flooded the altar to pray, repent, and sing praises to God.  And it is still going on, days and weeks later.  It has now spread to other universities in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and right here in Ohio.  What I am talking about of course is revival.  Some might question if what we are observing is true revival or is it just an emotional experience.  Or perhaps these college students have discovered a way to get out of classes.  I can’t answer these questions.  They are questions that can only be answered in the heart of each individual.  All I can say from what I have seen is that the Spirit of God seems to be moving.  Someone wiser than myself once told me that the greatest test of one’s Christianity is time.  Time will tell us the genuineness of what is happening in Kentucky and around the country.

Reid and I had the privilege of being part of a true revival back in 1972.  We had only come to faith in Christ a year earlier.  To be honest with you, we had no idea what a revival was.  We just knew there were going to be meetings at our church, and an evangelist was coming to share the gospel of Christ.  Well, those “meetings” took on a new dynamic when God’s Spirit began to move.  Another church joined us in what became a true revival.  We soon outgrew the church, and partnered with the largest church in the county in order to hold the crowds that were coming.  The revival lasted for months.  Evangelists came from all over the country to share the Good News.  I genuinely saw people’s lives change, including my own.  It was quite an experience for a brand-new believer.  And it was something I will never forget. 

The Old Testament prophet Joel, and Luke reiterated in the book of Acts, said that a great outpouring of God’s Spirit would happen in the Last Days.  “In the last days, God says, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophecy.  Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17).  Is what we are seeing take place at universities around the country the fulfillment of this promise?  I have to be honest and tell you that I really don’t know.  I will wait and see what happens over time, but I must tell you that right now I am very encouraged and excited.

I do find two things of interest regarding these revivals.  First, I find it interesting that in the middle of some of the most sinful and rebellious culture this nation has seen, God is bringing revival.  He’s not raining down his wrath, but his invitation of grace.  I also can’t help but wonder why God’s Spirit seems to have bypassed the church and is being poured out on college campuses in the hearts of young people.  Perhaps there is a message God has for America and his church through these revivals.  A message we all need to listen to.      

                                                                             Darlene