JUST THINKING: America's Great Need - Revival
I was just thinking about various comments I heard over the past few weeks of the holiday season. One subject was what was needed in America in 2024. The thoughts ranged from relief from high inflation, to lowering the national crime rate, to improving race relations and to giving aid to the worn torn countries with which we are allies.
However, it is my personal opinion — as well of that of many others — that America’s great need is a true, return-to-Christ revival across the country.
A Little Bit of History
In the very early days of our country, believers carried the gospel from colony to colony with unbridled enthusiasm for seeking the salvation of the lost and for the spiritual growth of the new converts. In the two decades of the 1730s and 1740s, the country was filled with bold and powerful preaching and the repentance of the hearers. That bold preaching also led those who had become lax in their spiritual walks to confess their shortcomings and find renewal in their spirits as they sought to put Christ first in their families, businesses and communities.
Later, from 1850 to 1900, preachers like D.L. Moody, Ira Sankey, Charles Spurgeon and Hudson Taylor each led churches, schools and evangelical efforts in large cities and small towns to turn their hearts to God through Jesus Christ.
Revival Fires on College Campuses
How important is it that we continue to minister to children, youth and young men and women in our cities and churches? The answer is extremely! Some of the largest evidences of true spiritual revival have begun with young men and women on college campuses. They were not on mission to rebel against the administrations — they were on mission to share the gospel with classmates and instructors.
In 1802, on the campus of Yale University, the student body numbered 230. As revival broke out, one third of those came to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. Two other campuses that have had a history of spiritual revival were Wheaton and Asbury. What began on those campuses from 1905 through 1992 spread across the nation — invigorating believers to share the Word of God with friends, families, coworkers and, certainly, classmates.
Why Does America Need Revival?
I believe our nation has made a tremendous, grievous error with regard to our relationship with God. We have become so caught up with prosperity and seeking lives of ease that we have become a nation that tends to think we no longer need Him.
Here are some Scriptures that I believe, when we compare America to them, we must admit show our nation needs revival: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance… But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine” (Psalm 33:12; 18-19 NIV). When we look at the big picture of our nation, we see that atheism, agnosticism, apathy and the spirit of anti-Christ are so very prevalent. What is not prevalent is the concern for lost souls, the passion for serving the Lord and the great expectancy of our Lord’s return.
A Familiar, But Fervent Truth
Revival and the need for revival are not new. As long as mankind has a hot and cold relationship with the Almighty and a so-so commitment to Christ, the need for revival will always exist. May we be reminded of this great truth: “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (II Chron. 7:14).
Baptist Churches Need Revival!
Revival is not about they and them — it’s about we and us; you and me!May our churches seek true revival. May our pastors, evangelists and missionaries preach the Word boldly, and may each of us pray fervently!
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Dr. Tom Mitchell
Dr. Tom Mitchell pens a column titled, Just Thinking, in which he addresses many topics relative to the Baptist Missionary Association. His Trailblazers series provides biographies of many BMA trailblazers from the past.
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