Revival in our hearts

..thus saith the LORD to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. – Jeremiah 4:3

Then men of the chosen nation of Israel was instructed to break up the fallow ground, the ground that is not sowed, not tilled and left to fester. They are also instructed not to sow among the thorns, for a plant growing in a field of thorns will get choked. They have been in a spiritual wasteland and they have been far from GOD. As a result of their backslidings, the children of Israel has gone far from GOD and into His judgment. Mercifully, His judgment is designed to bring them back to Him. Are we in a state of being unsowed? Is our field without the seed of GOD, or have we hardened our heart to the influencing work of the Holy Spirit? When was the last time we did a spiritual work for the Lord? A work that led someone to Christ, that lifted up a spirit to draw close to God, a work that helped a fledging disciple grow in Christ? If not, then we need revival in our hearts. A Christian life without the fervor for lost souls, without concern for growth in God’s church and without love in their hearts for others must be in a state of backsliding and poor spiritual health. The soul is in need of revival: what must the soul do?

1. The soul must break up the fallow ground: this means to dig up, till, and break out the hardened ground whether is grown many of the sins of our lusts, and pleasures, our thoughts and our habits, our ambitions, and our desires. We have not denied self, we have not served others, we have not considered what others need. We have been proud, we have been selfish. And our self-serving purposes have hardened the work of God in our souls. We need to break it up. Is your heart unfeeling to the things of GOD?

2. The soul must stop throwing precious seeds of faith and the word of GOD into areas that are intertwined with the concerns and cares of this world. How many Christians lose their faith, peace and obedience to God, because when the word of God is received and understood, it is oftentimes placed in the midst of the cares and concerns of this world: “I know I need to go soulwinning…, but I need to study..” “I know I need to live for Christ, but my children needs me and therefore, I cannot come..” we sow the word of GOD in thorns. We will not grow. We need to sow to righteousness, seeking it first above all. We need to say at the next opportunity: I will serve the Lord, I will commit to God’s prompting. I know not what lies ahead but I do know that if GOD said so, then I do so…. We must start sowing in areas with no thorns, but with a good ground.

3. There must be revival in the soul and notice for revival to occur, we have to start pleading to the Lord for it. Many believe revival will come automatically without man’s help: but the bible says:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall 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. – 2 Chronicles 7:14

We must humble ourselves first, we must pray first, we must seek first and we must turn from our wicked ways first… We must present ourselves willing before GOD will fill it. Lord send a revival… and let it begin with me…

Evangelist – Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church