Revive Us Again

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Scripture:

Psa. 85:4      ¶ Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
        and put away your indignation toward us.
Psa. 85:5     Will you be angry with us forever?
        Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Psa. 85:6     Will you not revive us again,
        so that your people may rejoice in you?
Psa. 85:7     Show us your steadfast love, O LORD,
        and grant us your salvation.

Observation:

The Psalmist is pleading for the renewal of God's people.  This psalm may have been written by David, or at a later time period, when returning from exile.  Whichever period it was, the people were still struggling with giving themselves wholeheartedly over to God.  The Psalmist knows that God's people need to be restored so that they can be faithful witnesses of and to him.  They have been unfaithful and, if this is when they returned from exile, they are concerned about how long God will be angry with them.  It's time for revival to come.  The prayer is for God to come and bring the spirit of revival among his people -- so that their joy would not come from the things of the world, but from God alone. 

Application:

This week I am preaching "revival" at a College Church.  This brings with it an interesting mix of diverse people from across the spectrum -- and yet, combined we truly are the people of God.  Young and old, student and community leader, we are God's people, and as a people we are called to turn back to him.  God wants his people to be united in seeking him and it is then -- as we cry out together to God -- that he comes in revival and restores us. 

God's people are in desperate need of revival.  We need to turn from the things that have made God indignant toward us.  We must confess that we have made him angry by our infidelity.  And all generations must be willing to be united together in repentance -- seeking the face of God together, crying for restoration of God's holy people.  It is then that God will come and he will revive us again.  His Spirit will unite with our spirits and they will soar in joy and praise with him. 

In the midst of the revival the steadfast love of the Lord will be revealed and we will have the assurance of our salvation. 

This is my prayer for this University and this College Church today.  I include myself in this prayer.  May God come in his mighty reviving power and restore us once again.  We are in desperate need of him!

Prayer:

Lord, revive us again.  Amen.

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