In I Samuel, chapter 7, we read of a great revival within Israel. Twenty years had gone by before the house of Israel began to care about the presence of God being absent. The prophet Samuel labored for years, trying to revive the hearts of the people towards God. When they finally cried out to the Lord, Samuel instructed them on what to do. Repent! Turn away from idols and turn their hearts towards the Lord and obey Him alone. The children of Israel did as they were instructed in ridding their homes of idols and began to worship the Lord, only. In a demonstration of their heart change, they performed a ceremony. They drew water from a deep well and poured it out before the Lord, symbolic of the pouring out of their hearts in complete surrender and repentance. They fasted and made a public confession of their sins and begged God for forgiveness. Israel pleaded with Samuel to continue petitioning the Lord on their behalf. They were sincere and determined to have the presence of God living among them again. Then, just as Samuel began to offer a lamb as a sacrifice to the Lord, wouldn’t you know it…the Philistines began to attack them! But God! Verse 10 says, “But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them.” The men of Israel chased the Philistines and slaughtered them all along the way. The scripture says that the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israel again for some time. Israel experienced victory and revival through their obedience and repentance. It is noted that this was one of the most effectual revivals that ever took place in Israel.

Do you feel desperate for the presence of God in your life, in your home, in your family? We can experience revival!!! It begins with repenting, confessing our sin and turning our hearts towards the Lord. May we pour our hearts out to Him in an offering of repentance and total surrender. Let us begin to fast and pray for the revival in our hearts, in our homes, in our families, in our churches, and in our nation. Let us offer our lives as a living sacrifice and fix our eyes on Jesus, only. And when the enemy comes against us, as we know he will, we can trust that the Lord is fighting for us. Victory and peace are ours! 

Revival begins with me and with you. Like Israel, let us join together as the Body and agree that we need and want God’s powerful presence in our lives today! Yes, Lord, may revival happen through us!