Revive Us…Revive us for What?

By Patrick Hawthorne

I have a serious question for you.   Do you know why you are asking for revival?  This is not a trick question but is a question for you to answer honestly.

I just read a quote from  17th century pastor Richard Baxter that made me stop in my tracks.  I stopped in order to ask the Lord for forgiveness.  Why?  It is because I am guilty of not living, teaching, and writing with the full expectation of seeing a real move of God.

“If your hearts be not set on the end of your labors, and you do not long to see the conversion and edification of your hearers (or your readers – addition mine), and do not study and preach in hope, you are not likely to see much fruit of it.  It is an ill sign of a false, self-seeking heart, that can be content to be still doing, and see no fruit of their labor.” Richard Baxter

Again, I ask the question.  “Why are you asking for revival?”  Is is so that you may feel all warm and fuzzy inside by the fresh touch from God.  Or, do you live in the full expectation of seeing broken hearts and broken bodies mended?  Is your end desire to see the lost found?

Better yet, are you expecting and willing to share the seat next to you with the smelly, the drunkards, the prostitutes, the cast-a-ways of life who are drawn into church buildings by the power of God and the unction of the Holy Spirit?  So, again I ask, “What is the end result of your request for revival?”  Think about it…