Return to Me
“We need revival” is a common thing for Christians to say today. Sometimes the words are uttered in despair by someone overwhelmed by brokenness and dysfunction in our world. Other times they resound as an optimistic summons to God’s people to unite and pray in greater faith. But do we really know what we are asking for? What does real revival look like, and how does it start? We will learn from Scripture how the Lord loves to bring revival, but it always starts with repentance in the hearts of His people. God calls us to have clean hands, pure hearts, and total devotion to Him. Let us fully return to Jesus, tearing down the idols of our hearts as we hunger for more of Him. Our God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he remains ready for us as he calls out, “Even now return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” As the prophet Joel reminds us, “Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave a blessing!”