Open Heaven 24 July
MEMORISE: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
BIBLE READING: Psalms 51:1-3 (KJV)
1. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I acknowledge my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.
Read yesterday’s Open Heaven Devotional here
I want you to take self-evaluation: is there anything you have done that could land you in hell? Today is the day of repentance and restoration. A man of God once said “When genuine revival comes, everybody, including pastors, would have one or two things to repent of”. Revival is not the working of miracle; it is an increased spiritual interest or renewal of a life of holiness, in complete obedience to the word of God.
The first step towards experiencing a revival is to realise that one has sinned or fallen short of God’s expectations, according to Romans 3:23. Fervent prayers of repentance must therefore precede revival. In Psalm 51 we read of David praying fervently for revival and restoration after he had sinned against God. This is where many so-called born-again Christians, particularly those who consider themselves fairly old in the faith often miss it. They are like that Pharisee who went to the temple to display his superiority over the publican in Luke 18:10-14. If you ever realise that you have fallen short of God’s approval and favour, put aside your ego and humble yourself before the One who can forgive and forget. The Bible says in (1 John 2:1-2):
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
What the Lord is telling us in this Scripture is that a child of God should be free of sin, according to (1 John 3:8-9) which says:
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
However, should anyone fall into sin, such a person must for quickly cry to God in remorse for revival and restoration. The person must then have faith in the word of God and the blood of Jesus Christ for cleansing. Plead the blood of Jesus over your life and make up your mind never to go back to sin.
ACTION POINT: Check your life and see if there is anything you have done contrary to the word of God. Confess it to God and let Him restore you to your position as His child.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 72-74
Thank you for studying today’s Open Heaven – When Revival Comes (2) – written by Pastor Enoch A.
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Open Heaven 24 July 2021
