“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill all your good pleasure for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?”
– Psalm 85:6
Main Thought: This is a plea by the Psalmist for God to return to His people in Israel and revive them once again. But even though this was written many centuries ago, it is certainly a plea that we as God’s people could make in this day. It seems we are surrounded by sin wherever we turn, and that the voices of the wicked are the loudest and most heard. However, it is during such times that we need to remember, as the Psalmist does, the lovingkindness and salvation of God. Prior to the Reformation, there was great spiritual darkness upon the continent of Europe and in England. However, we know that in the 16th Century, God began to move and that a great reviving of His truth, power, and salvation began. Within two centuries, Biblical Christianity was revived and many were saved. Eventually, that move of God crossed the oceans to this land and there was great preaching and a reverence for God. However, as happened in Israel so often, esteem for the truth of God and the worship of God in His majesty declined. The result over time was spiritual darkness that covered much of this world. However, as in past generations, as God’s remnant began to cry out for a reviving of the work of God in this land and throughout the world, we have begun to see a return of the truth of God to revive His people and certainly, we have been glad and revived to see it. While the work is certainly not complete, we can see that God is raising up pastors and churches across our world who are boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, raising up the banner of the holiness and glory of God, and encouraging the people of God to realize that God will accomplish His purpose of building the Church against which the devil, the demons and all the forces of hell will not prevail. We can be confident, along with the Psalmist, that “Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land” (Ps. 85:9). May we continue to call upon God to return, to revive us, and to have confidence that “righteousness will go before Him and will establish the way of His steps” (Ps. 85:13), and that we will once again know the power, presence and glory of God among us.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
Matthew 16:6
“And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” – Matthew 16:6
Philemon 1:7
“For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.” – Philemon 1:7
Hebrews 12:5-7
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, ‘My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the LORD, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the LORD loves He disciplines, and He flogs every son whom He receives.’ It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” – Hebrews 12:5-7
Isaiah 28:15-16
“Because you have said, ‘We have cut a covenant with death, and with Sheol we have made a pact. The overflowing scourge will not reach us when it passes by. For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have hidden ourselves with lying. Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh, ‘Behold I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” – Isaiah 28:15-16
Psalm 84:11-12
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” – Psalm 84:11-12
Psalm 84:1
“How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD of hosts!” – Psalm 84:1
Hebrews 2:1
“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” – Hebrews 2:1
John 4:13-14
“Jesus said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him, will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.'” – John 4:13-14
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 4:17