From Global Revival – Worldwide Outpourings by Mathew Backholer

Christianity spread into all parts of the world because Jesus told the disciples about the Great Commission saying, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” Mark 16:15, and “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” Matthew 28:19.

God sent His chosen vessels to proclaim the good news which became a Divine-human partnership. Revival is the same; God needs our cooperation and assistance as much as we need His. This is not in any way belittling God, because He is the Creator of the universe, and we are but dust, but this is the way He works. God had mercy on the inhabitants of Nineveh, but He could not have sent revival without Jonah’s preaching, even though he was very reluctant.

Rev. Duncan Campbell said, "God is sovereign and will act according to His sovereign purposes – but ever keeping in mind that, while God is sovereign in the affairs of men, His sovereignty does not relieve men of responsibility."

...God is a covenant-keeping God, because Scripture declares, ‘know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments’ Deuteronomy 7:9, and ‘God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments’ Nehemiah 1:5.

But whilst there is a covenant of blessing for obedience there are also consequences and curses for disobedience Exodus 20:5-6.

God is not obligated to send revival if we have negated our responsibilities (see Psalm 15, Psalm 24:3-6, Isaiah 58, Hosea 10:12 and Matthew 5:1-12), but as long as we do not fail to fulfill our part, then He will not fail to fulfill His. This is not trying to twist the arm of God or being presumptuously arrogant, but our covenant-keeping God has declared, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

‘God is not a man that He should lie…has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?’ Numbers 23:19...

Praying for revival is taking God’s promises as revealed in the written word, the Holy Bible and presenting His own words to Him and seeking the fulfillment of those Scriptures because He has promised – but it is foolhardy to pray these Scriptures whilst neglecting those which need to be lived out daily, e.g. “Be holy because I am holy.”

Revival is accomplished through God’s sovereignty and man's fulfilled responsibility, (the Divine-human partnership) which is revealed in the fullness of time. All things are decreed in heaven Psalm 119:89, but they have to be outworked on earth.

If we do not fail to fulfill our responsibility then God will not fail to fulfill His...

‘O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do it for Your name’s sake; for our backslidings are many and we have sinned against You’ Jeremiah 14:7.

Global Revival – Worldwide Outpourings by Mathew Backholer

Back

Mathew is the author of:
Revival Fire - 150 Years of Revivals Go
Extreme Faith – On Fire Christianity Go
Global Revival – Worldwide Outpourings Go
Discipleship For Everyday Living. Christian Growth Go
Understanding Revival and Addressing the Issues Go
Revival Answers, True and False Revivals Go
Revival Fires and Awakenings. Thirty-Six Visitations of the Holy Spirit Go
How to Plan, Prepare and Successfully Complete Your Short-Term Mission Go