What Does Revival Look Like?

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Psalm 146; Psalm 147; Nehemiah 7:73 - 9:38

What does revival look like? We get a good picture of true revival in today’s reading. We’re back in Nehemiah and the walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt. Life for the people had settled down. As we mentioned before, Nehemiah’s name means “Comforter” and he is a wonderful picture of the Holy Spirit. Now we see how Nehemiah stirs the peoples’ hearts towards repentance and revival - and that is what the Holy Spirit does in us!

Life had settled down in Jerusalem. The walls were rebuilt and the people had settled in their towns (Neh 7:73). This is a great picture of potential Christian apathy. There is the initial excitement of being born again, followed by potential spiritual battles and the hard work of re-building the broken walls. There comes a time when the walls are finally built up and we settle into church. That brings us to today’s reading.

Nehemiah, as a picture of the Holy Spirit, reads God’s Word to the people; their hearts were pricked as God’s law revealed sin. They wept over their sin and repented (Neh 9:1-3). Nehemiah comforted them and told them to rejoice and be glad. They experienced joy as a result, and were strengthened in the joy of the Lord (Neh 8:9-10). They recounted all God had done for them (Neh 9:5-37); and their hearts were set on obeying God’s commands (Neh 9:38). This is revival.

This pattern started with God’s Law, His Word was read to the people. God’s Word is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword (Heb 4:12). It transforms our minds and restores our perspective.

Confession and Repentance came as a result of hearing God’s Word. If you are in need of revival – consider whether repentance is a missing ingredient.

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

Then the people remembered all that the Lord had done. Revelation 2:4 warns us not to forget our first love – that fresh perspective and emotion that was experienced when we came to Christ. Remember what Jesus did for us on the cross. Remember where we were before we were re-born (Eph. 2). Reflect on all God has done.

Then the people committed to obeying God’s Word. Paul admonishes us to do the same:

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:4

We can gain quite a perspective on revival as we read Nehemiah's account. It all started with ears to hear and hearts to respond to God’s Word. So let's pick up our Bible and read what God would speak to our heart today.