Revival

In Judges, there is a cycle we see repeated again and again. Our redemptive God works a rescue of His people, yet in time the people forget God’s ways and grow complacent and move further and further from the heart of God into sin until they cry out in desperation to be rescued again from an oppression they’ve created for themselves. 

We see it all through Judges. But this pattern is not confined to the book of Judges. It’s the cycle of all humanity with our good God. From the garden to the Patriarchs to the judges and to the Kings, it’s a pattern we see played out again and again throughout the Old Testament.

In the New Testament, we see the same. The early churches begin to thrive in their faith only to grow complacent and let old patterns of legalistic religion, injustice and idolatry seep back in. 

Even post Biblical history, we see the same cycles take place. From the early church fathers to the Reformation and the Great Awakening and countless other movements (for a more in-depth study, read Richard Lovelace’s Dynamics of Spiritual Life), we see God rescue His people from their own ways and remind them of His good, ancient path (Jer 6:16). The people of God return to the heart of God only to eventually move in some way from God causing another generation to then cry out in response for help.

In one sense, it can make you frustrated with man. But hopefully and more importantly, seeing this pattern will make you fall deeper in love with God. He truly is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Ex 34:6). Every generation tests the boundaries, makes idols of something, and yet God relentlessly pursues and beckons some back to the ancient path.

In one sense, it's a beautiful rhythm. A chorus God loves to sing for His people throughout all of time.

In another sense, it’s hard to live in the stretches where man is pulling away from the center of God’s heart. For every time man wanders from the fold, it results in pain and wounds and doubts and confusion. It’s a painful song to sing. It feels like a solo to many of the participants, but in reality, it’s a lament that has been sung by men and women of every tribe, tongue, and generation. 

Now, it’s important to note I’m not talking about the general movement of depravity in the world. I’m speaking specifically to when those who call themselves God’s people veer from His heart. It is so costly. 

Today, I’m speaking to many in the American church, specifically my tradition – evangelical, non-denominational. I believe we too have veered from God’s heart and need to be rescued.

This is deeper than a problem we can blame on our nation. This is not about our America's inability to protect the unborn, define male and female, or whatever topic you feel the general decay of depravity in our land. 

This is specifically about the Church modeling the heart of God for all to see. It’s easy to blame the nation for obvious sin and departures from the ways of God. But it’s much, much harder to be self-reflective on where we have become just like our land. For as Hosea says “like people, like priest” (Hos 4:9), a haunting 4 word phrase that challenges God's people to look inward.

Today, so many of our churches have valued getting bigger over shepherding the flock amongst us (1 Pet 5:2). We have valued exposure and celebrity over day-to-day faithfulness. We have valued business strategies over the slow, difficult work of discipleship. We value 35-minute sermons from great communicators over trying to teach our people to cultivate a listening relationship to God Himself. We value calling out our nation over the self-reflective reminder that judgment begins with the household of God (1 Pet 4:17). 

And as a result, many, many, many have been hurt. In a variety of ways by a variety of churches. Occasionally, it makes the news. But often, it’s experienced in isolation and goes unseen and unacknowledged leading those hurt to doubt and deep disorientation. 

But if you’re faithful, it leads to the small cry of lament, a cry of oppression (no matter how small). A cry the Lord’s ear is always attentive to. A cry of humble desire to see justice and restoration and wholeness again. 

Jehovah Rapha (Ex 15:26) is always listening. Waiting to rescue and restore and make whole again. He is waiting to revive.

You see, my denomination is not healthy. All over our land, we have seen a plethora of moral failings amongst church leaders. We have watched churches try to protect the institution while running over individual sheep they were charged to shepherd. It breaks God’s heart. 

But it’s gonna be okay. For when the oppressed begin to cry out, it’s the beginning of revival. 

So cry. Sing the familiar lament of mankind. He is listening.

He is Jehovah Rapha. He delights in coming to our rescue.