Revive Us Again

BIBLE REFERENCE:

Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Shew us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation. Psalms 85:6-7

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand
against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me. Psalms 138:7

For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high
and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:115

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

HYMN HISTORY:

This is the testimony of Scottish doctor, W. P. MacKay, author of "Revive Us Again." In his own words,

My dear mother had been a godly, holy woman, quite often telling me of the Savior, and many times I saw her on bended knee in prayer for my soul's salvation. But nothing had made a deep impression on me. The older I grew, the more wicked I became...

One day a seriously injured man was brought into the hospital. His case seemed hopeless, he seemed to realize his condition for he was fully conscious and asked me how much time he had left to live. I gave him my opinion in as cautious a manner as I could.

"Have you any relatives whom we could notify?" I asked.

The patient shook his head. He had only one wish, it was to see his landlady because he owed her a small sum of money and also wished to bid her farewell. He also requested that his landlady send him "The Book..."

I went to see him on my regular visits at least once a day. What struck me most was the quiet, almost happy expression constantly on his face...After the man died, some things about his affairs were to be done in my presence.

"What shall we do with this?" the nurse asked holding a book in her hand.

"What kind of book is it?" I asked.

"The Bible of the poor man...As long as he was able to read it, he did so, and when he was unable to do so anymore, he kept it under his bed cover."

I took the Bible and-could I trust my eyes? It was my own Bible! The Bible which my mother had given me when I left my parent's home, and which later, when short of money, I sold for a small amount. My name was still in it, written in my mother's hand...

With a deep sense of shame I looked upon the precious Book. It had given comfort and refreshing to the unfortunate man in his last hours. It had been a guide to him into eternal life, so that he had been enabled to die in peace and happiness. And this book, the last gift to me from my mother, I had actually sold for a ridiculous price...

Be it sufficient to say that the regained possession of my Bible was the cause of my conversion.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We selected the Hymn "Revive Us Again" today not only for the testimony of William Paton Mackay, but also as a reminder as we enter into another year, that we again have been given by God an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others, and a call to repentance and seek revival in our own lives.

To be an influence in another person's life we must first re-kindle the flames of revival and service to the Lord Jesus Christ in our own lives first. We have selected the verse Habakkuk 3:2 to be a challenge to you and to encourage you to ask the Lord to Revive you again for service and a closer walk with Him.

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. Habakkuk 3:2

We see that while Habakkuk was praying to God he says that he heard His speech and was afraid. When you read your Bible or listen to a sermon, do you hear the words of God speaking to you? The Bible has a lot to say about the fear of the Lord. The Bible tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and of knowledge for these are HIS very words "....the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." John 6:63

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever. Psalms 111:10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
Proverbs 9:10

The next thing Habakkuk asks God in his prayer is for God to revive His work again. Each of us needs to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to make the things of God in our lives afresh and anew. Many today are caught up in the cares of this world and their love for God is not as fervent as it was before. The Church of Ephesus in the Book of Revelation was given a Condemnation regarding their leaving their first love.

Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent . Revelation 2:4-5

As we see in this verse God takes very seriously the departure of His children from Him and leaving their first love.

Pleas make a commitment to the Lord to rekindle the flames of revival in your life and to seek again the things of God more than the things of men.