Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? ~Psalm 85:6
It takes the Spirit of God to revive the souls of men. This prayer is a desperate call for God’s restoration and revival. The Psalmist’s ultimate cry for this prayer is not for himself but for the people to rejoice in God. The people have incurred the wrath of God upon themselves by displeasing and forsaking the commandments of God. They harmed themselves in running away from God. The prayer, then, is a cry for God’s convicting power to move the hearts of men to Himself. The revival is not so much sentimental or emotional experience but a revival for love and truth. It is the cry for righteousness and peace.
In a land broken and shattered by the wantonness of carnal human desires and greed, the deliverance from the hands of human institution or powercannot be expected. The hopes and optimism seem a far-fetched utopia if we were to measure with the here and now (our present state of affair). Yes, God is not blind to our despair and grief but reacts strongly to our unabashed outright disobedience to his commands and words.Justice, truth, equality and fear of God is displaced while the temporal pleasures and craving for selfish ambitions thrives. The venom of lies and hypocrisy has infected us badly and we need healing. Indeed, He loves yet justice hangs in balance. Only that we would cry and plead as that of the psalmist, “Will you not, Lord?” Rejoicing and jubilation is no more seen in our streets and homes. All lay silent and mourn for the light seems so dim and the sun barely shows his ray of hope.
The silent and unseen prayers of the righteous people do restrain the darker side of unseen evil forces. Yet this restraining is not enough unless it brings about the restoration of people to God himself. Can we seek? O yes, we can! Can we find him? Yes, we can! Remember his promise. There is a need for solution to the unending struggle of our day. The crutch of religiosity is not helping much! We need more than being outwardly religious. What we need is the deep inner conviction of hearts that results in total transformation of a person. It is the mysterious manifestation of God’s presence in the lives of a blood-bought believer. This true transformation is the source of joy and rejoicing in God. As it is, there is no permanent joy apart from God. The vacuum of the soul without God’s power will never be at rest. Therefore, the prayer of the psalmist is the restoration of God’s people to Himself. O that God would work this revival of change in our lives and in our towns and cities for the glory of God!
Vebu Khamo
Seoul Christian University
