Thoughts for Life: Is There Hope for Revival in Darkening Days?

~ W. C. Moore (1890-1980)- "The wreckage of civilization is around us! We are living in a time of peril and danger, but it is also a day of opportunity. The darker the night, the more need of light.

Let us stir up ourselves to take hold of God and press toward the mark as never before and to continue to have faith in God regardless of how dark things look (Is. 64:7; Phil. 3:7-14; Mark 11:22-26). (Google image, Desperate woman )

God is not asking His people to hide away from earth's troubles in some mountain stronghold. Let's get our lights out from under the bushels of fear, unbelief, and unconcern for the perishing multitudes all around us (Matt. 5:14-15).

Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16). Let the light of God's love, and the assurance of the great salvation wherewith He has saved us, and the light of unswerving devotion to the Lord we love and trust — so shine before a frightened and frustrated people that they too may turn unto God!

Pray for Revival!

One extremely important duty and challenge to Christians living in these darkening days is to pray earnestly, perseveringly, faithfully, believingly for a great sin-convicting, soul-saving, Holy Ghost revival — worldwide, upon "all flesh" as our glorious Lord has promised for the "last days!"

"In the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh" (Acts 2:17). This prophecy of the Prophet Joel (Joel 2:28-32) began to be fulfilled on the day of Pentecost, but the prophecy has not been completely fulfilled even yet.

The fact that God has promised a thing does not mean that we are to just sit down listlessly and wait for it to come to pass. No! His wonderful promises are not given to stifle but rather to stimulate prayer. "Thus said the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of . . . to do it " (Ezek. 35:37).

This is God's plan for the human race (see Matt. 6:9-15; 7:7-11). "Let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6). "Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field" (Zech. 10:1).

See the Rainbow on the Storm Clouds!

God is the God of the miraculous. His promise to Abraham was indeed to be fulfilled that he should have a son and heir, but Isaac was born when Abraham was "as good as dead" (Heb. 11:8-12).

When the miracle-working Son of God, the glorious Lord, was crucified between two thieves, and the disciples were scattered, was not that an hour of midnight gloom and unutterable defeat — to all appearances — for the followers of Jesus?

Yet in about fifty days thereafter, the great revival burst forth on the day of Pentecost! Thousands of Jews were saved before judgment fell on the Jewish ration and they were for a time cut off and the Gentiles grafted in.

Let us sincerely believe Him to send a great "last day" revival and save multitudes from among the Gentiles before He sends fearful judgments upon them, and grafts Israel back into His favor (Rom. 11:1-32).

God's Faithful Few

Of all the many thousands among the Jewish people that Jesus had ministered to, taught, miraculously fed, healed — we only have a record of about 120 who "continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" after His departure to heaven. The gift of the Holy Spirit was surely to come, but the faithful remnant had to continue in prayer —until! (Hos. 10:12; Acts 1:14-15, 2:1-7).

Will you, will I, set our faces (Isa. 50:7) and stir up ourselves to take hold of God (Isa. 64:7) and pray through until God comes and rains righteousness upon us (Hos. 10:12) and as He has promised (Joel 2:28-32) pours out His Spirit upon all flesh and saves multitudes from among the Gentiles for his glory? (Jas. 5:7).

"And shall not God avenge His own elect, which cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily . . . " (Luke 18:7-8).

"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert" (Isa. 43:19).

From Herald of His Coming {If you want some powerful words on prayer, this is an excellent place to go!}

Let's pray-

Father, our civilization is in a time of peril and danger, but help us realize that it is also a time of opportunities to shine our light! Stir us up to take hold of You and to press toward the mark as never before and to continue to have faith in You, regardless of how dark things may seem.

You're not asking us to hide away from the various troubles, but to get our lights out from under the bushels of fear, unbelief and unconcern for the perishing multitudes all around us.

Jesus told us to let our lights shine before men, so they can take notice of our good works and glorify You, Father. When we do, we demonstrate Your love and Your assurance of the great salvation You provided for us in and through Christ Jesus, Your Beloved Son. Hopefully, they'll turn to Him in their frustrations, to find the peace You provide to those who are frightened.

Your extremely important duty and challenge to Christians living in these darkening days is to pray earnestly, perseveringly, faithfully, believingly for a great sin -convicting, soul-saving Holy Ghost revival the world over.

Let's sincerely believe and ask You to send a great "last day' revival Christ promised us! We ask this in His name for His glory and our good. Amen.

616-620- one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-

616- Ro. 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

617- Ps. 35:9 "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; it shall rejoice in his salvation."

618- Ps. 31:3 "For thou art my rock and my fortress, therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me."

619- Pro. 11:30 "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise."

620- Ps. 27:11 "Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies."

Quotes for today-

~ R. T Kendall- "The Light that caused Saul of Tarsus to fall to the ground is the same yesterday and today and forever. How bright? Very bright. The same God who sent Jesus in the fullness of time is still in control. Never have conditions been worse. Ripe for revival." [p. 19 of DECISION for December 2021]

~ Billy Graham- "This is still an age of grace. God's offer of forgiveness and a new life still stands. However, the door will one day be closed. Someday it will be too late. That is why the Bible continually warns and challenges, "Now is the accepted time" (2 Cor. 6:2). [p. 23 of DECISION for December 2021]

Today's Popular post-

God Sent and Angel On My Darkest Day

Kristy shares with us, "My panic

disorder was out of control for
another one of those week-long stints.

My boyfriend and I had broken up.

My landlord had sold my house.

I was house-sitting for a work-friend.

At that time, I didn’t have a faith community to lift me up."

Upcoming posts:

11th- #35 David Finding Renewal Through Confession

Alvin Vandergriend

13th- #36 Prayer Releases God's Power

Alvin Vandergriend

Notice to my faithful readers:

There will be no new posts after the 13th for an extended period of time, as I'm starting a sabbatical after that post. My desire is to draw closer to the Lord Jesus, and to be filled afresh with His Spirit for further, more powerful ministry, when He shows me it's time to return to this ministry.

I love each of you, and will be praying for you to read various Faith Messages on Jean's blog from time to time that will enrich your faith walk. I'll be back, stronger in faith and more determined than ever to be a blessing! Your prayers for me would be appreciated, of course. Thanks!