Some years ago, I heard a prominent preacher lamenting during a Revival meeting in a particular church. I was part of that meeting even though I was still a dummy in the Christian faith as at that time. This was in the year 2002. I saw him yelling and preaching to the congregation. This wonderful messenger poured out his heart. Sometimes he was in tears as he expounded on the word of God.
As I looked closely at the congregation, I could read their countenance. To some and while he was still preaching, they were busy chatting, while some slumped into their chairs and slept off in the middle of a great Sermon like that. I also took a look at those at the podium, some were already tired; you can see it clearly on their faces.
One of the elders was busy with a magazine. And I said to myself...”this is madness’’. I kept wondering why people will behave this way even when a hot sermon from an anointed voice is been preached? Why would an elder or deacon be sleeping in the middle of a critical message like that? Why would a general overseer or pastor be moving in and out of the church when a sermon is going on? All these questions puzzled my heart and I was highly disappointed by their complacencies.
At the end of this great message, this great man of God made an altar call and quickly I observed that most people who came out were only some mothers and a majority of youths; the pastors and elders held tight to their seats. In their mind I could hear them say “we have been born again for almost 10, 20, or 30 years. How then should we come out to join these young ones?”
But if we look so closely and if we will tell ourselves the truth, there are areas in our lives that need revival. I mean they are dead! God is absent and even unbelievers can sense it that you are struggling and fainting gradually. The unbelievers will not tell you this because they expect you to help them revive.
I don’t think we understand that there is an urgent need for a revival. The church of Christ must be revived; our homes need to be revived. Our careers, businesses, spiritual lives, ministries, finances, health, etc. All these and more need revival. I honestly pray you see the magnitude of what I am saying. The major problem we have right now is lack of understanding about the times. The Bible tells me that there was a tribe in Israel that had a good understanding about times.
“…….of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do …,” 1Chronicles 12:32 (NKJV)
What this means is that they tell Israel when to go to war and when not to. The nation of Israel had to enquire from the sons of Issachar what the times are saying. Pastors must understand the need for revivals. You should know when to expect a revival in your ministry or local assembly. When I say “revival” I mean to be reawaken; to wake up from spiritual slumber, to bring back what had died. It could be anything – your prayer life, Bible study life, your marriage, your ministry, your financial status, business status, your health. Once you discover everything around you is crumbling to debris; then revival is necessary.
