“Any objection to the carryings on of our present gold-calf Christianity is met with the triumphant reply, ‘But we are winning them!’ And winning them to what? To true discipleship? To cross-carrying? To self-denial? To separation from the world? To crucifixion of the flesh? To holy living? To nobility of character? To a despising of the world´s treasures? To hard self-discipline? To love for God? To total committal to Christ? Of course the answer to all these questions is no.” – A.W.Tozer
“And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then is the offence of the cross ceased … But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” (Gal 5:11 & Gal 6:14)
Over the years, I have watched churches with good intentions subscribe to a myriad of programs, seminars, study courses, video presentations, and vaudeville productions in an attempt to launch their church into an exciting, new and vibrant walk with God – something that will energize their congregation and enliven their pastor so that his normally dull sermons will be revitalized with power and excitement. And it sometimes works … for a week or two. But water seeks its own level and will always sink back to where it is the most comfortable. Good intentions alone do not equate into results.
God did not leave us without His instructions; the blueprint for a true revival is in the Book of Joel. The problem is that that solution is not what we want to hear. And since we are so smart, sophisticated and educated, we will figure out our own solution, thank you very much. As a result, we are left to run around in circles trying desperately to catch our tails.
What is it that we really want? Are we really after revival? Or do we just want a richer experience so that we can be spiritually entertained?
The thermometer for the church is not the Sunday service which we all consider to be the apex of our spiritual week, but the Wednesday night prayer meeting at 7pm. (Did you even know you had a prayer meeting on Wednesday?) There is where you will find the furnace for the entire church. It is the Labor Room where moves of God are birthed. If there is no fire there, you won’t find it anywhere else. The price for real revival is not paid by the front office, in the offering basket, community projects, or with mindless accolades and “ataboys” for the preacher. It is paid for on your knees.
If that is so, then why aren’t our Wednesday night prayer meetings packed to capacity? Why are they so dull that no one wants to come? Could it be that we really don’t believe that God will answer our prayers? Or maybe our prayers are so anemic that He doesn’t even hear us? Or maybe we just really don’t care that much? Life is good; we’re okay; hope everybody has a nice day.
Revivals have to be prayed in with deep, contending, gate crushing, desperate prayer. It has been said that God doesn’t answer prayer – He answers desperate prayer! Desperate prayer like Rachael’s Cry in Genesis 30:1. (Those of you who are hungry will look that up; the lazy ones will not.) If you want God to send the rain, then you have to pray like Elijah – you have to storm the Throne of God. If you want God to move, they you have to move God, and contend before Him until He does.
Revival has a price … and it is not the price that human flesh would like to pay. But if we will shed the baggage of our own theological endeavors and instead allow God to strip us down to the bare metal of our souls so that our only sufficiency is in Him, then we will find not only the strength, but the will and inspiration to walk that crucified walk that leads to the Cross.
And only there will the fire begin to burn.