True revivals of the heart are lasting because those who are revived move on from the feelings of excitement to the commitment of doing what is pleasing to the Lord — no matter how they feel or what uncertain circumstances exist. Even in groups of people revivals that change the world are only lasting when there is a whole-hearted commitment to walking in God’s ways. “Revival,” means to have a renewed attention to or interest in something. There is nothing wrong with being excited or refreshed by good feelings and emotions. Those often prompt us to action. There is, however, a big difference in being excited by something and moving forward to experience it in totality.
There is a distinct difference in waiting in line for a roller-coaster and getting on it to ride; or waiting to purchase a new book and actually buying and reading it. When a person moves with the anticipation of experiencing the very thing they’re waiting for, the wait will fill each step-by-step moment with a belief and confidence that goes beyond fear and inhibition. Hopefully, the wait is worth all the excitement you showed in anticipation of the results. With God’s promises for our future, there will be no disappointment! Our every step-by-step moment in this world is an order of faith and commitment that grows and produces fruits of righteousness that are nourished by trial and cared for with God’s Truth.
Romans 5:1–5 – Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The heart of a child sees the world with multifaceted experiences. This is what may enable a little boy to make the waiting line rope on each side an exciting slide for their toy figurine, or the floor in between, a small section of imaginative possibilities. Jesus said that we must humble ourselves to be like children (Matthew 18:2-5 & Mark 10:15). I have a hard time believing He meant that we need to carry a “blankey” or wear diapers. No, what I hear Him saying is that we must expand our horizons to include the hopeful impossibilities of our circumstances and uncertain future as we wait for Him to manifest the possibilities ahead of them.
Can we set aside the seemingly unstable times and seasons that unease our hearts and trust in Him who upholds all things by the Word of His power (Hebrews 1:3)? When the feelings of revival pass, we must move forward with the resolve that what He has promised He is able also to perform (Romans 4:21). Be revived in your hearts and minds by God’s unwavering promises, but know, that responding to Him with consistent action is more valuable to Him than a response to emotions. It is in the steady, faithful life of real followers of God that He can produce consistent results of growth — to the end — that we may be found pleasing in His sight.
