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Sunday, January 3, 2010

Resolutions or Revival?

How many of you just made or have made New Year’s resolutions? I see that hand, and that hand, oh, and that one too!! Yup, we all have. I really began thinking this year about resolutions and whether revival is more necessary than a New Year’s resolution.


Think about this quote:

“New Year’s Resolutions are like friends. They are easier to make than to keep.” —Anonymous(1)

Maybe not the most motivational, but it rings true to our typical commitment level to our resolutions. It is said that resolution commitments wane by 25 % after the first week; 50% after 6 months. Why do we anticipate the New Year looking to recommit ourselves only to break that resolve? I propose we look for revival before we commit to resolutions!

Resolution is defined as,

1 : the act or process of resolving: as

a : the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones

b : the act of answering : SOLVING

c : the act of determining(2)

In essence, we develop a determination to change or recommit that fails more than succeeds when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. Now, let’s define revival:

1 : to restore to consciousness or life

2 : to restore from a depressed, inactive, or unused state: bring back

3 : to renew in the mind or memory (3)

In considering resolutions for this year, I’ve decided that maybe some resolutions should trail revival. It might be worth considering that I may need to restore myself from an inactive state and renew my mind before I become committed to resolutions. Maybe, a resolution to seek revival….after which, I can then let everything else fall into place. Maybe that’s exercise. Or diet. Or bible study. Or faith. We all have our resolutions, but some of us may need a revival first. Consider this:

Real revival commences with brokenness. Believers must get alone with God. He speaks and they tremble at His Word. There is conviction, confession, and cleansing. Revival begins with God’s people.

Revival continues with beseeching. Prayer is a vital element in the channel of revival. When we pray we commune with God. No work of God is of lasting value without prayer.

Revival continues with a burden. After being confronted with our sin, after beseeching our Heavenly Father for cleansing, we are then burdened for the will of God. We want more than anything else to find, follow, and finish God’s will for our lives.

Revival culminates in behavior. Revival climaxes in a change of behavior. Saints turn from stubborn, slack, and sinful ways to obedience. When saints obey, then Jesus is exalted in our hearts, our heads, and our habits.

Revival that does not affect our beliefs and our behavior is man-made, not heaven-sent. The mandates for a heaven-sent revival are set forth in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.(4)

The world’s foremost authority on the subject of revivals and awakenings was Dr. J. Edwin Orr.

In the early 1970s when Dr. Orr was presenting a series of lectures on revival at Columbia Bible College, a student approached him.

“Dr. Orr,” said the student, “besides praying for revival to occur, what can I do to help bring it about?”

Without a moment’s pause, Dr. Orr glanced at the student and replied, “You can let it begin with you.”**(5)


1  Robert J. Morgan, Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook : 2002 Edition, electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001), 396.
2  Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary., Eleventh ed. (Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).
3  Inc Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary., Eleventh ed. (Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, Inc., 2003).
4  Robert J. Morgan, Nelson's Annual Preacher's Sourcebook: 2004 Edition (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004), 17.

* * Personal interview with the author.
5  Robert J. Morgan, Nelson's Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, and Quotes, electronic ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000), 679.


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