Psalm 85:6 Will you not revive us again: that your people may rejoice in you? I. A GENERAL REVIVAL OF TRUE RELIGION IS NEEDED. 1. The world needs it. (1) The world of Christendom needs it. From having so long lived in a Christian country, many are disposed to take it for granted that they are Christians. Others, from so often hearing and reading the truth, fail to feel its power. (2) The world of heathendom needs it. Much has been done to win the world to Christ, but much still remains to be done. 2. The Church at large and individual churches need it. 3. The individual members of our churches need it. II. THE GROUNDS FOR EXPECTING SUCH A REVIVAL. 1. The fact that God has promised to revive His people. 2. The fact that He has again and again revived them — on the day of Pentecost; at the Reformation; under the preaching of Wesley and Whitfield. III. THE MEANS NECESSARY FOR BRINGING ABOUT A REVIVAL. 1. Prayer for an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Such prayer must be characterized by humility, fervency, perseverance, faith. 2. As all our blessings come to us through Christ, we must pray in His name. 3. As the Word of God is "the sword of the Spirit" — i.e. its instrument — we must study it ourselves, and teach it to others. 4. As God always works by means, we must employ appropriate effort. (1) Put away all sin. (2) Seek to cultivate true, healthy piety, as opposed to austerity, narrow-mindedness, sentimentalism, or laxity. (3) Endeavour to progress in the Divine life ourselves. (4) Seek to arouse others. (E. W. Wilson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?WEB: Won't you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? |
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