Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? (Psalm 85:6, NIV)

Every so often we all need a good revival in our Christian walk. Maybe the pandemic has made you need a revival. Or maybe something this summer has caused you to need a revival. 

Four examples of physical revival that illustrate our need for spiritual revival: 

Samson (Judges 15:18-20). When you have no strength, you need refreshment…. Samson was one of the judges for the Israelites, a leader of his people. One time he used the jawbone of a donkey to achieve a great victory. Afterwards, he was exhausted and called out to God. God provided a drink and that drink revived Samson. Sometimes we just need a refreshment to regain our vigor for the Lord. 

An Egyptian (1 Samuel 30:11-12). When you have no activity, you need nourishment…. David and his men came upon this man and they gave him food and drink. Afterwards, he was revived. Refreshment isn't always enough. Sometimes we need more comprehensive nourishment such as being involved in a connection group. Receiving that nourishment can bring back our desire to serve the Lord. 

A boy (1 Kings 17:17-23). When you have no breath, you need resuscitation…. Elijah stayed in the house of a widow and her son. While he was there, they never ran out of food despite the famine. Some time after that, the boy stopped breathing. Elijah returned and prayed for God to bring the boy's breath back. The boy was revived and lived. Sometimes our lives reach the point where they look no different than the rest of the world. There is no sign that we are different, that we are alive in Christ. When that happens we need CPR, we need resuscitation. 

A corpse (2 Kings 13:20-21). When you have no life, you need resurrection…. While burying a body, the people digging the grave saw bandits coming and just threw the body into the grave of Elisha. When the corpse touched Elisha's bones, the corpse was revived. Some have never received the life that Jesus offers. If that's you, you need to be resurrected. By accepting Christ as Lord and Savior, you can go from spiritually dead to spiritually alive (Ephesians 2:1-5). 

Do you see yourself in any of these examples? Do you need refreshment, nourishment, resuscitation, or resurrection? Call out to God. He will provide.