While revival can occur at any time of a persons’ life, my most recent experience is one that I believe is one of those in my life that has topped the charts.  In the last few years, I had been reading and studying the book of Revelation while referring to scriptural references from prophets such as Daniel and Ezekiel.  For most of that time, I found it as a refuge where I knew God’s Word would be hidden in my heart for a time that I would later possibly understand a bit better. 

About 6 months ago, I began to study Revelation in a verse-by-verse study and even at one time reading it backwards – chapter by chapter.   Interesting concept, but it worked.  I printed out the entire book of Revelation, placed it is a binder along with the lists of references so that as I read the book, I would be able to refer to other passages easily and organize my thoughts in the hopes to see the book come to life.  What I found was that it encouraged me to reach deeper into the Word to experience more of God.  It came alive in ways it never had before, and it took me through a season that would help unlock a mystery and many more to come.

After completing my study of most of the book of Revelation, I felt God lead me to a study in Romans.   I had read the book of Romans before, but at that time of my life, it seemed wordy.  As a result, it was somewhat hard to grasp to its fullness.  While it was very important to me, I knew it as the book where I could find the Romans Road plan of Salvation.  Therefore, since I had a good experience in the way I studied it, I began to study Romans in a similar manor as I did Revelation.

What I uncovered was certainly nothing more than a revelation in itself.   Romans helped me uncover a different perspective of Gods’ plan.  Romans 4 tells us about how God made a promise to Abraham that he would become the father of many nations.  It turned out to be something that would more than ignite a passion in him. 

God made a promise, but it would be necessary for Abraham to believe in that promise, and his acceptance of it, for the fulfillment of that promise.   His acceptance meant that he would live in anticipation of it.  Without this kind of faith, Abraham would have likely chosen to go his own way.  It was through this kind of faith that he was credited righteousness, and because of Abraham’s faith, he was able to receive the promise. 

Abraham first received the promise by seeking God, second by believing God, and third by following through by faith – continuing to believe.  God gave him the strength to live in anticipation of it, but also to accept the pace for which God chose for it to come to pass. 

Just think of all of the promises that God has made to us in his Word!  Because of this passage, and in light of my study in Revelation, which strengthened my knowledge of God, I have been encouraged to reach out to each of God’s promises and claim each one for myself. 

Those promises are now more than just promises; they are promises for me and anyone else who chooses to claim them for their very own.  I truly believe that when we claim the promises of God, our faith grows, and we experience revival just as I experienced God’s Word being revived in me.  

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When The One You Love Doesn’t Love You Anymore: A Journey of Self-Discovery

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