Category: Devotion of the Day

Pattern for Revival

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners hall be converted unto thee.
Psalm 51:12-13

Here in Old Testament language the difference between revival and evangelism, so often confused today. David is saying, “Make me right and then I will go after somebody else!” Too much church work is being done by people who are not right with God and each other, who know neither the joy of salvation nor a willing spirit.

Conviction of sin, confession of sin, cleansing, and a right spirit – all this is revival. Evangelism, soul-winning, personal work, the conversion of sinners – all this flows from revival.

David needed a Nathan, and the church needs a prophet to tell his story and make the application, “Thou art the man.” That is not easy – especially if “the man” is sitting right in front of you! There are guilty Davids aplenty but few faithful Nathans.

Claiming our Rights

I appeal unto Caesar.
Acts 25:11

We are to render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and there are times when we may appeal unto Caesar. Not claiming our own rights does not mean that we should not avail ourselves of certain privileges as citizens and otherwise. Paul did not court martyrdom, and he defended himself ably on trial. He used all his standing as a Roman citizen and employed every means to get fair treatment.

When persecuted in one city we are to flee to another. We may honor God more by living than by dying. A supine acceptance of circumstances that could be, and ought to be, changed is not a mark of piety. We are not always to remain quiet and expect God to intervene when He has given us common sense to ask for normal rights to which we are entitled. Christians are not to go to law with each other, and for the sake of our testimony it is better at times to suffer ourselves to be defrauded. But the cause of the Gospel is often advancd, as it was with Paul in our text, by asserting our claim to certain rights. Some may have thought it nobler if Paul had let things take their course, without speaking up for himself. God did not think so, for He wanted Paul to go to Rome.

There is a time to appeal unto Caesar.