“It’s all or nothing!”, the sportscaster shouts.  This last effort will either bring victory or the agony of defeat as expressed by those who call the game from the booth over the game.  But what truly defines victory is how the players will respond during and at the end of the game.  Let that just lay there in our minds for a moment…

The Psalmist is recalling how God smiled on His creation when His people trusted and obeyed Him as He rescued them.  This prayer song from the heart calls on God to do it again—to revive, restore, renew, repair hearts, minds, and souls as only He can do. The call is for God to come with His faithful forgiveness and His almighty power to reset the foundation of His people with resurrection powered lives!  And He does!

Could that be our prayer today for ourselves, our family, our friends, and our nation?

REVIVE US AGAIN!

We praise Thee, O God, for the Son of Thy love—
for Jesus, who die, and is now gone above.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Hallelujah! Amen!
Hallelujah! Thine the glory! Revive us again.

2 We praise Thee, O God, for Thy Spirit of Light
who has shown us our Savior and scattered our night. [Refrain]

3 All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain,
who has borne all our sins and has cleansed ev’ry stain. [Refrain]

4 Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love.
May each soul be rekindled with fire from above. [Refrain]

(Composer: W.P. Mackay, Published in 1867)

Throughout generations of believers, a new fresh fire from above is the cry of our hearts as we live in a fallen world tainted by sin.  God sent His Son, Jesus as our Savior of our sins.  We must trust and obey Him as Lord of our lives.  He is the One who guides us in resurrection power from day to day until we see Him face to face in glory! 

IT’S ALL OR NOTHING that God recognizes in our surrender to gain eternal life!

Psalm 85, The Message

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

^1-3 God, you smiled on your good earth!
    You brought good times back to Jacob!
You lifted the cloud of guilt from your people,
    you put their sins far out of sight.
You took back your sin-provoked threats,
    you cooled your hot, righteous anger.

^4-7 Help us again, God of our help;
    don’t hold a grudge against us forever.
You aren’t going to keep this up, are you?
    scowling and angry, year after year?
Why not help us make a fresh start—a resurrection life?
    Then your people will laugh and sing!
Show us how much you love us, God!
    Give us the salvation we need!

^8-9 I can’t wait to hear what he’ll say.
    God’s about to pronounce his people well,
The holy people he loves so much,
    so they’ll never again live like fools.
See how close his salvation is to those who fear him?
    Our country is home base for Glory!

^10-13 Love and Truth meet in the street,
    Right Living and Whole Living embrace and kiss!
Truth sprouts green from the ground,
    Right Living pours down from the skies!
Oh yes! God gives Goodness and Beauty;
    our land responds with Bounty and Blessing.
Right Living strides out before him,
    and clears a path for his passage.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Our only response is surrender with a sincere heart that seeks God’s will, purpose, and plan with wisdom and direction for our lives.

May Love and Truth meet in the street where we live, work, serve, while growing an intimate relationship with the One who provided “Right living and Whole Living” for all who believe!

May Right Living clear a path for His Holy Presence to reside and be seen all around us. May we Praise, Repent, Ask and Yield to the Almighty with sincerity and humility before Him.  (For those who like acronyms…PRAY😉) 

Yes, the old hymn, Revive us Again, is still relevant for us today!  Revitalization seems to be the theme of our culture—let be the cry our hearts to God!

Lord,

Thank you, thank you, thank you.  Cleanse our hearts, remove all that does not belong. Renew our minds as you transform all we think, say, and do. Refresh our souls with your new tender mercies we received each morning. And Restore the joy of your salvation at work within us.  You in me and me in You.  This is a holy relationship that I long for as I wake to a new day. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In Jesus Name, Amen