"Will you not revive us again...?" (Psa. 85:6).
In addressing Israel's need for an all-encompassing restoration following its prolonged captivity, the cultural and spiritual implications of the foregoing petition were, of course, inescapable.
In light of our own nation's state of moral and spiritual declension, the call increasingly heard within the believing community for a new spiritual awakening is, in itself, encouraging. It is further heartening that long overdue lessons derivative the past with regard to such interests are likewise being recognized.
(One is somewhat inclined at this juncture to recall Thomas Edison's observation that in the rather lengthy process of inventing the light bulb he had learned much concerning ideas and procedures that did not work. Given the less-than-overwhelming results sometimes attendant contemporary faith-related initiative, might not we similarly benefit from greater insight as to that which is effective in relation to spiritual cause and endeavor as opposed to that which is not? We would so suggest.
Within the evangelical Church at large, commendable objective has, in many instances, been stymied by well-intentioned, albeit essentially futile pursuits reflecting: 1) an undue reliance upon humanly programmed strategies; 2) efforts to emulate the "success" patterns of others; and/or 3) quests to induce the presence and dynamic of divine blessing by means of the formulaic and methodologically prescribed.
If, supposedly, we can just implement the latest "church growth" program; reproduce another's worship patterns and operational methods; emulate the performance skills and mannerisms of some popular personality; apply the latest innovative technique to our outreach program, ad infinitum, we shall surely reap revival in terms of renewed vision, commitment, growth and dynamic. Right? Reality would attest otherwise.
Hence a growing awareness on the part of many that viable renewal does not emanate from human resource or latest thesis on "How to have revival," but rather outworking of the Spirit in terms of:
1) Our "[laboring] together with God" (I Cor. 3:9), and...
2) God's "working with us" in the interests of divine purpose and calling (Mark 16:20).
Such is, and shall continue to be, a vital principle within the realm of spiritual cause and advance. (In illustration of the first point, see well-known exhortation of II Chron. 7:14; in relation to the latter, II Chron. 29:36 as underscoring causal source and dynamic in that greatest of Old Testament revivals. Within this context, insight regarding that for which we so greatly stand in need will be meaningfully served.)
"Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"
Burl Ratzsch
