Saturday, May 18, 2019
Where Revival Begins
This was because Ezra had determined to study and obey the Law of the LORD and to teach those decrees and regulations to the people of Israel. (Ezra 7:10 NLT)
When the Jewish people were originally released from captivity in Babylon, things started out well. They were led by Ezra and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. But people had cooled off a little. The passion wasn’t really there as it should have been.
Meanwhile, the walls of Jerusalem lay in total ruin. So God touched the heart of Nehemiah, the king’s cupbearer. He led a second wave of people to rebuild the city walls, and the people were revitalized.
Ezra had been waiting for what the Lord would do. The Bible says that he studied the Law of God to practice it and teach its standards in Israel. Ezra also prayed. He said, “O my God, I am utterly ashamed; I blush to lift up my face to you. For our sins are piled higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached to the heavens” (Ezra 9:6 NLT).
There isn’t a lot of sin to identify in the life of godly Ezra, yet notice he used the words our sins. This raises a very important point: revival begins with you. It starts with you and with the realization that God wants to revive you personally.
Was there a time in your Christian life when your passion for Christ was stronger? If so, you need a spiritual revival. Was there a time in your life when you read God’s Word more faithfully and were involved in church more than you are now? If so, you need a personal spiritual revival. Was there a time when you shared the gospel more, and in fact looked for opportunities to engage people with the message of Jesus Christ? If so, you need a personal spiritual revival.
Before there can be a revival in the church, there must first be a revival in you.
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