It has been noted that the preaching during times of revival determines in some measure how solid the revival is. It has also been noted that there is a certain kind of preaching that is used of God to produce revival. While this kind of preaching will not be thought well of in our day, the history of how God has used it should provoke much thinking and praying in us. It should also be noted that it may take years and years of faithful preaching and praying to prepare for revival or for it to come. This is nothing other than seeking the face of God as is found in both Testaments of Scripture. The following quote is taken from A History of the 1859 Ulster Revival, Volume 1.
“It is right it should be known that this movement has not come upon us quite so suddenly as people at a distance might be led to suppose. I am able to testify that there has been a gradual, but perceptible, improvement in the state of religion throughout this district for some years. Ministers were led to speak to the people with greater earnestness about “the things which belong to their peace.” Attendance on the public ordinances of religion had considerably increased. Open-air preaching was extensively practiced. Sabbath-schools were greatly multiplied. Prayer-meetings were growing up in many districts… And altogether the people were in a state of preparation-a state which passed into one of earnest expectancy when the glad news of the American revivals reached our shores.”
This should provoke us to pray and earnestly seek the face of the Lord. Could it be that there is a sign or two here and there of the Lord beginning to spark an interest in true revival? Could it be that this is the cloud the size of a man’s fist that is going to grow into a full storm? While we don’t know for sure, while the professing Church, the culture, and the nation as a whole are going into a sharp dive down, maybe the Lord is raising one here and one there. As the quote above notes, the beginning was gradual. This improvement lasted for years. Let us not despise the day of small things and seek to do God’s work for Him by using out own wisdom and means.
This quote should show us how God works at times. He uses His ministers to preach His Word, but they are not giving dry and formal lectures when He is moving in their souls. Though God uses men of different personalities and differing ways of delivering sermons, earnestness is what must become greater. How can men speak of Divine things without a movement of feeling in their souls? How we must pray for God to give ministers a desire for revival and for Him to give them a greater earnestness in their pulpit labors as well as other things.
2 Thessalonians 3:1 Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you. Thus began the fifth lecture of THE REVIVAL OF RELIGION in 1840 one of a series of lectures by Scottish evangelical leaders. It was given by Robert S. Candlish and was partly on the character of preaching fitted to produce a revival. The following quote(s) is from his lecture in that volume.
“That word is still the same, and if similar effects are now or at any time to be anticipated, it must be in the same way as of old, by the same word having the same free course. The word of God then is the instrument in every truly religious movement, whether on a large or on a limited scale. It is the truth contained in that word which alone can savingly enlighten and impress either individual minds in slow succession, or an entire congregation or community together. In every work of the Holy Spirit this instrumentality is employed, and the work is genuine and trustworthy only in so far as it is a legitimate effect of this cause.”
While a revival is sent by God, the Spirit works through the words He inspired. Let this teach us to be earnest in prayer concerning the preaching of the Scriptures. God uses the preached word to convert souls and manifest His glory. May ministers pray for God to give them light and earnestness in their study and their preaching. May God’s ministers and God’s people seek fire from heaven in the preaching of His word. May all the people of God pray for the word to run free. Ministers must pray for themselves and other ministers and the people must pray for the preaching of the word. God uses it to bring true revival. Let us not give up, but pray for revival until we die.
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