Moderator
Admin Group
Joined: 03/16/2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6133
|
|
Posted: 10/16/2009 at 12:57pm
|
IP Logged
|
|
|
Revival More Than A Party - Ron McGatlin
Revival is not always just a party. No one loves more than I, a time of joyously praising and worshiping God and experiencing glorious manifestations and miracles in His awesome presence, which might be called a "Holy Spirit party". But if we cause people to expect revival to always be a party some may think it very strange when they face fiery trials.
Expecting revival to always be a party can cause confusion and major problems when serious adversity presents itself. God will always see us through and there can be peace in the midst of the storm. But there can be times when we face serious difficulties in revival.
Did you ever feel like giving up -- that it is just too much and you cannot go on? Have you ever become tired of being lied about and hearing your faithful good works being turned about and made to look like selfish works of an unscrupulous, greedy, money motivated, over controlling, "holier than thou" tyrant? Have you ever been so beaten down by stoning with the rocks of religious convictions from others that you hoped to die?
If you have, you are in good company. Did you know that both Paul in the New Testament and Elijah in the Old Testament despaired of their lives and wanted to die. And of course, Jesus did not have a really good time in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Paul wrote in, 2 Cor. 1:8: For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
It is not fun when Jezebel and here evil warriors get after God's chosen people. When Jezebel was after Elijah and vowed to kill him, he ran to the wilderness and prayed to die.
1 Ki 19:2-4: Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, "So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by tomorrow about this time."
And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!"
It was in the garden of Gethsemane that Jesus dealt with the agony of continuing in the will of the Father. Just like Jesus did, we may ask God for some other way -- some way to accomplish the will of God without drinking the cup set before us. But also like Jesus, in the end the faithful will always accept the cup set before us that we may remain in the will of the Father.
Mat 26:38-39: Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me." He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
I can't explain it, but in some way when injustice is brought against us while we are seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness in revival, there is an increased favor from God and His glory rest upon us in a greater way. Certainly, facing seasons of injustice and persecutions cannot be classified as a party but they may precede increased joy in the glorious presence of God.
James 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Mat 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
1 Pet 4:12-14: Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
Ron McGatlin |
Edited by Moderator on 10/16/2009 at 12:57pm
|
Topic: Revival More Than A Party - Ron McGatlin
