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Text Sermons : Classic Christian Writings : Why Do Revival Showers Of Blessing Delay? By W. C. Moore

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In Joel 2:1 we read, “Blow the trumpet in Zion.” It is we Christians who need to be aroused, and to be exhorted daily (Heb. 3:7-19; 4:1). It is we Christians who need to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Peter 5:6). Can it be that revival tarries because we Christians are not humble enough for God to work through us?

“Thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isa. 57:15).

“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves … and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven …” (2 Chron. 7:14).

It is you and I, fellow Christians, fellow soldiers of Jesus Christ—we are the ones who delay revival showers!

“Suffer the word of exhortation” (Heb. 13:22). Are we so “set” in our own ways, in our own ideas—that God cannot teach us His way? Listen to this: “The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way” (Psa. 25:9).

God can get hold of sinners if He can first get hold of saints and get them really on fire, filled with the Holy Spirit, humble at heart, forbearing other Christians in love (Eph. 4:2).

How really humble are you—am I? “Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psa. 119:165). I was told in one place where God was working in revival power—people would come in to the meetings and they would not approve of some things that were being done. They would get to their feet and openly criticize the things that were going on.

But these truly revived saints of God would just smile at them and this manifestation of the love of God so convicted the opposers that they were ashamed of themselves. They realized that the people there had something which they themselves did not possess.

Today if you do not have the same theological slant as others, often there is a bristling up, an arguing, a contention, a strife and even sometimes hatred and bitter words.

How Humble Are We?

Jesus, “When He was reviled, reziled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not” (1 Peter 2:21-23).

Is it not sadly true today that often we do not wait for positive difference of opinion—do not wait for known opposition to our views or ways—do not wait till we have facts to act on—but often we imagine things that have no foundation in fact at all, and thus we play into the devil’s hand and become censorious; critical, harsh, unkind? “Let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart” (Zech. 7:10). “Let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour” (Zech. 8:17).

“Search Me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psa. 139:23,24).

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults. Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins: let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psa. 19:12-14).

Probing!

When a surgeon probes with his lancet, it hurts—but it is necessary. “The Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105).

Let us welcome God’s Word in whatever way He sees fit to have His Word come to us! If we wince, and cringe, and murmur and complain at God’s Word now—what will we do as we stand (and that real soon) at the Judgment Seat of Christ? (Rom. 14:10-13). “He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).

“Do not My words do good to him that walketh uprightly?” (Micah 2:7).

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).

Let us not be always wanting the comforts of God’s Word—and always dodging the rebukes! “All Scripture is profitable” (2 Tim. 3:16).

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church (Eph. 5:22-24), not only said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28), but He also said, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33); and in Revelation 3:19, He says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

So let us humbly, eagerly accept God’s Word now—and not be ashamed before Him at His coming (1 John 2:28).

Jesus loves His own (John 13:1). He ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:25). He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities (Heb. 4:15). Having suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted (Heb. 2:18). But He means business—and He wants us to mean business! “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Cor. 12:9).

“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

Yes, God resists the proud no matter how sanctimonious and orthodox the proud person may be! Religious pride, denominational pride, self-righteous pride; proud of some “position” we have, pride of reputation—oh, the devious ways the devil gets pride into the human heart!

If people cannot talk to us plainly about our Christian life and walk, without us getting all upset—we had better get down before God and ask Him, for Jesus’ sake, to show us if pride has not somehow gotten into our heart!

Praise God! “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Praise the Lord for “showers” of revival blessing here and there (Ezek. 34:26). Thank God for the holy discontent in the hearts of a great many Christians over the world who refuse to be denied until God sends a mighty revival! Therefore, “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9). We who follow the Lord Jesus will find battles along the way, but God has promised to strengthen us (Isa. 41:10,13).





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