August 16, 2010

TURNING THE HEART

BACK TO GOD

Scripture Reading--1 Kings 18:1, 36-39

Leonard Ravenhill, the great evangelist, said, "I know why we do not have revival in America.  It is very simple.  We are content without it."  He also said, "Our country is in more need of revival now than it has ever been."

First Kings 18 describes three key elements of a revival sent from God.  Verse one says, "And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab" ( emphasis added ).  The first element of revival is hearing the Word of God.  After many days of silence, God spoke to Elijah; and Elijah listened.

Verse two describes the second element of revival.  "And Elijah went to shew himself to Ahab."  After hearing the word of God, Elijah heeded that word.  Responding to the voice of God, he went to see Ahab.

The first two elements of revival are hearing and heeding the Word of God.  We find the final element of revival in verses 36b-37.  "Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.  Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again."  Elijah had a word with God in prayer.  After Elijah's prayer with God, we read in verses 38-39 that "the fire of the Lord fell" and that "the people...fell on their faces" and acknowledged the Lord as God.

When we combine the hearing of God's Word and the heeding of the commands given in Scripture to the vital element of prayer, we will experience power from God.  Acts 4:31a says, "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken" ( emphasis added ).

PRAYER:  "Lord, send revival fire to everyone under our roof."

--Robert Booth--