Psalm 102:13-14 You shall arise, and have mercy on Zion: for the time to favor her, yes, the set time, is come.… I. THERE IS A FAVOURABLE TIME TO PROMOTE THE REVIVAL OF THE CHURCH. 1. The source to which the Church must look for a revival. The Lord alone can revive the Church, and add to her such as shall be saved (Psalm 80:1-3; Psalm 85:6; Isaiah 51:3; Habakkuk 3:2; Zechariah 4:6). 2. The nature of that revival which the Church may expect. The words "mercy" and "favour" suggest — (1) Deliverance. (2) Union. There may be unity of effort with a great variety of name, method, and form. The union of which God is the Author is frequently spoken of in the Bible (Psalm 133.; John 13:34, 35; John 17:21). (3) Prosperity. The conversion of sinners. 3. The time when the revival of the Church may be expected. The deliverance of the Jews from their captivity was foretold (Isaiah 14:1, 2; Jeremiah 25:11, 12; Jeremiah 32:36-39). How wonderfully Jehovah brought about the deliverance of His people from Babylon at the set time! He influenced Cyrus and Darius, heathen princes, to forward it. He raised up Ezra and Nehemiah, etc. II. THE REVIVAL OF THE CHURCH IS ALWAYS PRECEDED BY CERTAIN INFALLIBLE SIGNS. 1. Solemn humiliation before God. Before the Jews were delivered from the Babylonish captivity, they were humbled before God on account of their transgressions. The nation was ashamed and cured of its idolatry, and never since then has it bent its knees at an idol's shrine (Ezra 9:6, 7; Ezra 10:1; Daniel 9:7-11). Is there this spirit of humiliation before God in modern churches? 2. Special, importunate, believing prayer. What beautiful instructions and examples we have in the Bible of the value of such prayer (Isaiah 62:1; Ezekiel 36:37; Luke 11:5-10). 3. Affection for the ordinances of God's house. They loved the very stones, and even the dust of their dilapidated Zion (Psalm 137:5, 6). So it is in a revival of religion. When God is about to visit His people in mercy, everything in regard to the Church is loved. 4. Activity and self-denying efforts in God's cause. The Jews showed their love to Jerusalem in a practical manner (Nehemiah 4:6). They work despite the scorn of their foes. Let these signs exist in any Church, and the fruit will soon appear. She shall increase in purity and influence. (J. Wileman.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come. |
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