What You Can Learn In A Crisis Personal Revival  

2 Kings (7:3)

"Why are we sitting here until we die?" The armies of Syria had besieged Samaria and the people were dying of starvation. Four lepers, whose disease forced them to live outside the city walls, had got used to living on scraps of bread people threw over the wall each day. But now no more scraps were coming their way. So they said to themselves, "Why are we sitting here until we die?" So they took action. 'They rose at twilight to go to the camp of the Syrians to their surprise no one was there. For the Lord had caused the Syrians to hear the noise of a great army. Therefore they arose and fled and left their tents, their horses, and their donkeys these lepers went into one tent and ate and drank, and carried from it silver and gold and clothing Then they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we remain silent. let us go and tell the king's household" 2 Kings (7:5-9).

This story teaches us three important truths. First, that crisis becomes our friend when it moves us to take action. Only when we're sick and tired of being sick and tired, will things begin to change for the better. Second, that - once we take a step of faith - God will move on our behalf. The only thing that can limit Him is our doubt, our stubbornness and our complacency.

His Word says, 'Therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you. Isaiah (30:18). Finally, it teaches us that when God blesses us, we can't keep it to ourselves. Others need what God has given us, and we must get it to them - on time. Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself. Complacency is the enemy of spiritual progress. A complacent soul is a stagnant soul. Second, set your face like a flint towards a sweeping transformation of your life.

Timid experimenters are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our whole soul into our desire for God. Third, put yourself in the way of blessing. It's a mistake to expect God's help to come as a windfall apart from conditions known and met. There are plainly marked paths which lead straight to the green pastures; let us walk in them. To desire revival, for instance, and at the same time neglect prayer and devotions, is to wish one way and walk another.

Fourth, do a thorough job of repenting. Do not hurry to get it over with. Hasty repentance means shallow spiritual experience and lack of certainty in the whole life. Let godly sorrow do her healing work. Until we allow the consciousness of sin to wound us, we will never develop a fear of evil. Finally, make restitution wherever possible. If you owe a debt, pay it, or at least have a frank understanding with your creditor about your intention to pay, so your honesty will be above question. If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can in an effort to achieve reconciliation.

Reverend William Bowers