What Must We Do for Revival? - If My People Humble Themselves

Second, the Lord says we need to humble ourselves.  The Lord says a lot about pride in the Scriptures.  Consider the following passages: “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2), “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18), and “…for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble” (1Peter 5:5).  First, pride can keep us from salvation.  If we cannot admit we are wrong, and have sinned against God, then we will not see our need for a Savior.  Perhaps maybe we can admit we are wrong, but we are too proud to profess faith in Jesus Christ for fear of what others may think.  However, Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) Pride can be a problem for the believer as well.  Pride says the principles found in the Scriptures do not apply to me.  We often make exceptions for ourselves, while holding others to a higher standard.  Pride says I’m a good person, and keeps me from receiving correction when it is based upon Biblical truth.  If you or I are proud we will have difficulty admitting when we are wrong, and the message of correction will be offensive to us.  Most importantly, it will keep us from receiving the Lord’s correction, and thereby will stunt our spiritual growth.  None of us enjoy being corrected, but it is a necessary part of life and of the Christian walk.  Proverbs says, “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.” (Proverbs15:10) We all have pride to one degree or another, but a good measure of how much pride we have is how offended we become once we receive Biblical correction.  If we want to see revival, we need to humble ourselves before a great and mighty God, and remember that He is the potter who wants to shape us as the clay into His image.  Humbling ourselves is the first action required, because pride will prevent us from taking the next steps. 

The Righteous Judgment of God

Recently, I read the 50th Psalm, and it struck me as to the relevance that it has for us today. The world is rushing head-long into judgment, and it does not even know it. It pays no mind to its sins and to sin’s consequences, but believes things will simply continue on as they always have. Sadly, large segments of the Church are going right along with it under the guise of love and grace. So, let’s take a look at Psalm 50, and see what the Lord has to say about this.

The Psalm begins by stating, “The Mighty One, God the Lord,” and is a combination of the names of God. As one commentator put it, “The psalm begins with a majestic heaping together of the Divine names, as if a herald were proclaiming the style and titles of a mighty king at the opening of a solemn assize…. Each name has its own force of meaning. El speaks of God as mighty; Elohim, as the object of religious fear; Jehovah, as the self-existent and covenant God.” Interestingly enough, we also see a reference to the trinity here (Elohim meaning three or more). This triune God has called out to the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same. He has called out to us through His creation that bears witness to His invisible attributes (Rom 1:18-20), He has called out to us through the law and the prophets, and He has also spoken to us in these last days by His Son, Jesus Christ Heb 1:1-2)

The Psalmist speaks of a future time when this Mighty King will rule from Jerusalem. Asaph likens this appearance to the Lord’s appearing on Mount Sinai, as we see God speaking and a devouring fire going before Him. He is coming in judgment, not of the world in this context, but first of His own people. He states, “Gather My saints together to Me, those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” The Lord Himself is judge, and the Heavens declare His righteousness. Contextually, the Jewish people are in view here, but the principles taught can also be applied to the Church. Peter applies this principle to the Church as he states, “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” (1 Pe 4:17) So, if God, the mighty King, is coming in judgment, what type of people ought we to be?

The first call is to the carnal believer. The Lord says, “Hear, O My people, and I will speak, o Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God! I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” God is speaking to us, and He wants us to hear. He wants to testify against us, and He wants us to take heed to what He says. He is our God, so He has a right to do so. He ultimately is not interested in our sacrifice. He doesn’t need our money, our time, or our gifts, for the earth is His and everything in it. He has an endless supply of resources available to him; in fact, He is the endless supply of everything we need. It’s not that these things don’t have their place, because they do. However, it doesn’t compare to a life of grateful obedience to the Lord. Our lives should be lived with thanksgiving to Him for what He has done for us, and we in turn should naturally want to obey Him. He wants us to call upon Him when we are in trouble so that He can deliver us, and we can glorify Him. In David’s prayer of repentance, He stated, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” (Psa 51:16-17)

The Lord’s next call is to the wicked. These are not the wicked outside the Church, but those inside it. These are professing believers, but their conduct proves them to be otherwise. these even seem to be the religious leaders or those who have a platform to influence others. The Lord says of them: “What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have been a partaker with adulterers. You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit. You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes. “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.” These individuals take up the Scriptures, but they do so in vain. Rather than conforming their lives to them, they twist the Scriptures to fulfil their own lusts. They have no right to declare the word of God, for, truthfully, they hate what it says and have cast it behind them. As a result, they have openly embraced and promoted sin. They not only practice it themselves, but take pleasure in those who do. They steal, commit sexual immorality, speak evil, lie, and slander others. On the day of judgment, the Lord will rebuke them and lay out their sins before them.

You may ask, is this a fair assessment of the Church today? Although certainly not across the board, in many instances in our nation and around the world it is. Prior to reading this Psalm, I listened to a couple segments of interviews of the lead singer of Jars of Clay, Dan Haseltine, and what he had to say was quite concerning. In one segment, he was being interviewed by Semler, a professing believer who identifies as queer. He proceeded to apologize to her for people’s disapproval of her sinful choices, and stated how there are many in the Christian music industry who agree with him but are afraid to make it known for fear of backlash. Haseltine has made some other concerning comments over the years: "I don't think scripture 'clearly' states much of anything regarding morality," "I don't particularly care about Scriptures stance on what is 'wrong.' I care more about how it says we should treat people." And, "Just curious what 'condoning a persons [sic] homosexuality' does. Does it change you? Does it hurt someone? What is behind the conviction?” As we can see, his weak stance on the Scriptures makes possible his condoning of sin.

I know some of this is old news, but this is relevant because Haseltine is also involved with “The Chosen,” a TV series depicting the life and ministry of Jesus. As some of you may know, Dallas Jenkins has had his own problems with this topic. In addition, Dan and Katie Haseltine are involved in contemplative prayer and the New Age (see here). Come to find out, the Jenkinses have had a close relationship with the Haseltines over the years, and they have endorsed Katie’s book on contemplative prayer. Like many, I was excited and intrigued by “the Chosen” when it first came out, but as time went on, more and more things kept coming to the surface that were concerning. In commenting on the series, Dan Haseltine remarked how he appreciated its depicting Jesus as having human flaws to make him more relatable. Haseltine’s words are blasphemous, folks! He has misinterpreted God’s silence as His approval, and made the mistake of thinking that God is like him. It should come as no surprise though when he is into contemplative prayer and finding that inner authority that transcends external authorities such as the Scriptures.

Haseltine’s comments on the Christian Music industry made me curious what Christian bands aligned with his views. After researching, I discovered some big names with beliefs that ranged from ambiguous to stating outright that they weren’t sure. When Lauren Daigle was asked if she thought homosexuality was a sin, she said, “I can’t honestly answer on that. In a sense, I have too many people that I love that they are homosexual. I don’t know. I actually had a conversation with someone last night about it. I can’t say one way or the other. I’m not God.” Bart Millard, the leader of the band Mercy Me, said the following about same-sex marriage, “People have asked me ‘What do you think of gay marriage?’ I wish there was a loophole that says it was okay because that would make life easier for all of us, but I can’t find it. I try not to go there because that shuts the door so fast to having the ability to show grace.” Both Lauren and Bart, at least at the time, were at the very least, fearful to say what they really believe, or they were confused. If the latter is true, they simply need to read their Bibles for what the Lord says about sin and grace. God is clear in His word on what is sin, and making any sin okay or hoping to find a loophole never makes life easier. Sin always brings destruction and death, and that’s precisely why God in His love says, “No.” Earlier I mentioned Semler. She is a professing Christian, musician and song writer, and she identifies as queer. She has been “married” to another woman and subsequently divorced, and prefers the pronoun “they.” She has climbed to number 1 on the Christian music charts on streaming platforms like iTunes and Spotify. According to her, she has even been given the green light to get air time on K-Love, a popular Christian radio station. This is confusion, Folks! She is confused on who God is and what it means to be a Christian. Quite honestly, if she thinks she is a “they,” she may need to have a demon cast out of her.

It is sad that the Christian entertainment world that could once be trusted to give us wholesome entertainment can no longer be trusted. It is also sad that some very talented musicians have given themselves over to sin. For example, Jennifer Knapp produced some solid songs back in the day. Looking back though, you can hear her struggles in some of her lyrics. Unfortunately, she has now given up the struggle and has embraced the homosexual lifestyle. To be clear, I’m not talking about people who get caught up in a particular sin and are later repentant, but those who are promoting it as good and giving a platform to others to do the same. I know there are still godly artists and entertainers out there, but it’s easy to see that the wheels are beginning to fall off the Christian entertainment industry. Many who don’t agree with sin don’t want to say anything, so the only voices left are the ones riding the fence or outright promoting it. I don’t say these things to slander anyone, but to sound a warning about what is going on in hopes that it will prevent people from being deceived and mislead by their lies. My prayer is that these individuals will get saved and repent from these false teachings. Until they do however, the best thing I believe we can do as it relates to their content is turn it off. Money speaks, and the more we pay for and share their material, the more it tells them to keep on producing. Also, we run the risk of desensitizing ourselves and others to the sins they are promoting, as well as opening ourselves up to the same demonic deception.

Are these individuals and others like them carnal believers or the wicked among the people of God? My guess is that there are both, but the Lord knows. All I can say is that the unrighteous (those who practice sin) will not inherit the kingdom of God (1 Co 6:9-10), and that we are not to be deceived, for the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience (Eph 5:5-7). According to Asaph, God says He is going to tear them in pieces. I think words fail to describe how terrible that day will be. It is a day we don’t want to be found on the wrong side. We should not mistake God’s silence for His approval of our behavior, for His silence means His mercy. It is His time granted to us that we can repent and get right with Him. In this we should be thankful for His silence, for He is not willing that any should perish, but that all come to repentance.

Reader where are you today? Are you not saved? It does not matter what church you go to or what other good deeds or religious rituals you perform, you are still counted among the wicked. On the day of judgment, God will rebuke you and lay out your sins before you. The good news is, you don’t have to stay in that camp. You can switch sides. God loves us enough that He has provided a way out, and that way is putting your faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ for eternal life. Bow your knee to Him and confess Him as your Lord today.

Are you a carnal believer? The Corinthians were carnal, but Paul still called them brethren. Sometimes, we lose sight of what the Lord has done for us. We think that because we give to the Church, serve on the worship team, or help out with the Sunday school class that we’re okay. Our good deeds and religious rituals have a funny way of making us feel okay about what we are doing, but they only mask the sins that are beneath. The rest of the week we’re living in a way we ought not, saying and doing things we know we shouldn’t. If this is you or me, the Lord is speaking to us through this Psalm to get right with Him. The Lord may allow us to be in a place of trouble until repentance becomes more desirable to us. It is the Good Shepherd’s way of correcting a wandering sheep (Psa 51:8). If we find ourselves in this camp (and all of us do at times), we need to offer a true offering of thanksgiving to the Lord for what He has done for us, and out of this attitude of gratefulness, repent and make obedience to the word of God more of a priority in our lives. One of the evidences of a true believer is that sin bothers them. As I stated previously, the Corinthians were carnal, but they repented after reading Paul’s letters. Jesus is coming soon, and we want to be ready (1 Jn 3:1-3). We love the Lord because He first loved us, and we want to be like Him. The Psalmist ends by saying, “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” True worshipers of God do so  in spirit and truth, walk in obedience to the Word, and will receive the salvation of God.

If My People

First the Lord says “if my people, which are called by my name.”  Who are the Lord’s people?  They are not those liberal politicians, university professors, those in Hollywood, or the drug dealer on the street.  Those individuals do need to repent, but that is not who the Lord is referring to in this passage.  In Solomon’s day it was the Children of Israel, in our day it is the Church (both Jew and Gentile).  The apostle Paul stated in Romans 11 that the Gentiles, as the wild branches, have been grafted into the olive tree.  They are those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior for the forgiveness of sins.  It is not enough just to believe in God, for even the demons believe in God and tremble (James 2:19).  We must believe on Him.  This means to put our complete reliance and trust in Him and what He did by shedding His blood on the cross for our sins. If you are reading this today, and you have not chosen to place your faith in the Lord Jesus, you have no basis for which to call yourself a Christian, nor can you expect to benefit from the promises and blessings found in His Word.  The Scriptures say, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2) Choose this day to place your faith in the Lord Jesus and receive eternal life.  So we can see then that the Lord’s people who are called by His name are those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ.  The Lord addresses His people first, because judgment must first start at the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). As believers, we are not under the Old Covenant, but I believe these principles carry forward into the New Testament and thereby can be applied to us. 

What Must We Do for Revival?

When we take a look at what is going on today in the world, in our country, and even in the Church, we do not have to look far to see that we are in a sad state. Sexual immorality, violent crimes, and almost every evil imaginable are being promoted as good. Our governments are out of control and seem bent on taking away our freedoms that have been fought so hard for. This begs the question, what should be our response to this as believers? As with all important questions in life, the answer is found in the Scriptures.

After Solomon had dedicated the temple in Jerusalem, the Lord appeared to him in a dream. He told Solomon that if His people had turned away from Him, and as a result were experiencing national discipline, the Lord would offer them a means of escape. He said to Solomon, “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14) Let’s go ahead and examine this passage a bit closer.

The Lord says “If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people.” This very passage is proof that the Lord does use weather, natural disasters, and pestilence as a means of discipline for a nation if they are going astray. I think it is interesting that people today attribute strange weather to global warming or Mother Nature, but the Scriptures are full of examples of the Lord using weather and other natural disasters to accomplish His will. In the days of King David, there was a famine in the land because of King Saul. Saul had killed the Gibeonites whom the children of Israel had made a peace treaty with in the days of Joshua. Proper justice had not been executed, and the Lord brought the famine on the land for three years until the house of Saul had been properly dealt with. (2 Samuel 21:1-21) For the wicked king Ahab and his wife Jezebel, the Lord withheld rain for three and a half years from the land of Israel for their leading the entire nation into idolatry in the worship of Baal  (1Kings 18). The Lord sent rain after Elijah had executed all the prophets of Baal. While we cannot attribute every natural disaster or trial in life to the Lord’s discipline, we can see that the Lord does use these things at times to get our attention.  I have often wondered if these massive tornados and hurricanes that have hit the United States, or the horrible fires that have swept through the Northwest in the last several summers are the Lord trying to get our attention (see Joel 1:19-20). Even COVID-19 is a pestilence, and the  Lord, for some reason, allowed it to escape out of the lab in Wuhan.  To explain all these things away to climate change, Mother Nature, or coincidence is an indication of the hardness of our own hearts to spiritual things.  Unfortunately our human nature is far too prone to straying into sin, and it is through these types of things the Lord uses to awaken us out of our slumber.  We get so wrapped up in what we are doing, and we need to be sobered up a bit.  These things may be a warning signal that we are going astray, and that we are about to head into certain peril if we do not change course.  The good news is that the Lord’s discipline is always remedial in nature.  His goal is to provide temporary pain on a smaller scale in order to avoid far more serious consequences in the future.  Much like the child who insists on playing in the street, his loving parents will discipline him to prevent him from becoming seriously injured or worse.  It is in these times of trials that, if we are wise, we will cry out to the Lord and ask Him to search our hearts.  The Lord then lays out the conditions for which he would bring revival to His people (if we do, then He will respond).