Revive me Lord
Revive means to restore to life or consciousness; to give new strength or energy.
The need to be revived implies that one has grown weak or weary.
I don’t know about you, but I see weariness all around me, and I feel it. Weary parents burning the candle at both ends. Weary children running from one event to another trying to cram a bit of real living in the midst of an already packed schedule. Weary customer service representatives that don’t have the time or energy to listen to your requests. Weary neighbors that find it easier to come and go day after day without interacting with each other.
We are such a weary people that the term “burnout” is common. In fact we have new things offered to us everyday to revive us. We need energy drinks, supplements and coffee (which I love). We need spa days, massages, vacations and time outs. Don’t get me wrong, some of these things are not bad in and of themselves but will they truly revive you?
The Lord takes me back to Him again and again. “Teach me, O Lord the way of Your statutes,
And I shall observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.
Make me walk in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
Revive me in your ways! “
Psalm 119: 33-37
When we follow God’s way, when we seek understanding of His word so that we might follow it better, when the desire of our heart is to obey Him; We are not only revived… We are delighted!
I learned a little song when my children were small that I sang with them often. It included the phrase, ” Obey, obey, I love to obey.” I wanted them to understand that there is joy in obedience!
Obedience to God’s word is not always easy, comfortable or popular. In fact when you take a stand for God you might even experience hardship! Expect it.
But our obedience to God is more than just rule following. It is responding to who God is and what He has done for us! His pursuit of our hearts and sacrifice of love on our behalf is what draws us to Him. So obedience becomes not a burden but an overflow of our heart to Him. Just as “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” So also, out of the overflow of our heart does the body act.
1 John 5:3 says, ” For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not burdensome.”
In fact they are the opposite of burdensome, they bring life! When we choose obedience, we experience the fullness of joy. Little children are a perfect example. Sometimes my sweet granddaughter will decide that she simply must have her way. It may be something so very insignificant but it is as if a switch has flipped and she must insist with everything in her to demand her way. The longer she persists in demanding her way the more unhappy and agitated she becomes. Then one of her parents will step in and speak very calmly and with so much love the way she should go. It may take a time or two but eventually she concedes and almost instantly there is a return of joy! In fact most of the time she is laughing within seconds. Not because someone has done something funny but because she simply must express the joy filling her heart because of obedience.
In this world where time is limited and we are encouraged to simplify. May I encourage you to simplify as well? Whatever it is you are looking for, be it guidance, direction, strength, peace or joy; it is found in one place, the priceless Word of God. In that Word, God lays out for us the pathway to life. He gives instructions because he knows what will truly bring us joy and life everlasting. He knows what revives our soul!
Come weary one and we will walk together.
We will lay our burdens at His feet together.
And we will take His yoke upon us for His yoke is easy.
His yoke is easy because when we are yoked with Him, He is with us, always He is with us, today, tomorrow and in the days to come. And, it is in having His presence with us that we can find rest for our souls.
