Psalm 19: A Paradigm and Revival – Sunday Thought For The Day

The other morning I was reading Psalm 19 (KJV).  As I read the first three verses a paradigm came to me. The verses read: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  ² Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.  ³ There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

A paradigm according to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition is: One that serves as a pattern or model.  As I reflected upon these verses in the context of a paradigm I was forced to exam myself.  Let me explain.

We hear many in Christendom today calling for a revival.  But, what is a revival? Put simply, a revival is typically a gathering of Christians that reflects an urgent and bold spiritual awakening, where hearts and lives are transformed and people commit themselves anew to following Jesus. … The word revival combines two Latin words, “vivo,” meaning to live, and “re” meaning again. It’s like a rebirth or a re-awakening, an invigorating experience where the Holy Spirit moves freely among believers, setting their hearts on fire for the Lord.  (Jessica Brodie: What Is Revival)

Revival doesn’t just happen.  It takes you and I surrendering to the work, will and leading of the Holy Spirit and a burning desire to be used in making that happen.  Brodie rightly makes the point out that: The fervor of the Holy Spirit through [the preaching of spirit-filled] preachers like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and John and Charles Wesley caught the hearts of millions and drew many to the concept of personal salvation. Albeit, I argue that salvation is not a concept.

The point that I considered is, we as human beings created in God’s image should be like the heavens and the firmament.  Our lives and behavior should declare the glory of God and show forth His handywork in our new lives.  Every day we should share some aspect of His word and speak to knowledge of the intimacy of our relationship with Him.  Regardless of our nationality we should share the message of salvation, i.e., the good news of the gospel of the kingdom Christ.

Revival takes our personal involvement.  Nature and the world around us that were created by God declare the glory of God more than many of us do.  My friends, let us commit to not simply mouth hollow words of America needing a revival.  Let us commit to sharing the good news of the Kingdom of Christ at every opportunity.  Let us ask God to give us opportunity on a daily basis to proclaim the name of Jesus.  Let us not talk about revival; let us pray to be the facilitators of a revival in the time we have remaining, before the return of our Lord to gather His church in the air.

READ:

Psalm 19 (KJV)

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.