Over the next few days we will looking at the things Ravenhill cites in his chapter entitled Do We Want Another Pentecost as necessary prerequisites for revival. “The first is this: the people who experience revival will be an obedient people” (Leonard Ravenhill, Revival Praying).
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49) was part of the last conversation Jesus had with his disciples prior to His ascension. Notice that worship was the first action in their obedience: “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him…” (Luke 24:51-52) and then they heeded His command, “… and returned to Jerusalem with great joy” (v. 52).
Without doubt there is a major connection between worship and obedience to our Lord. In exhorting those in Colosse who were slaves Paul gives an important principle of service: “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: (Colossians 3:22). He is even more specific to the Ephesian slaves, “not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6 ESV). Those slaves who operated with eye-service only sought to please God as long as the master’s eyes were on them. When the master was away their “true” self would be revealed.
However, Paul wanted the servants to have a “true self” continually, whether they were in the physical presence of their master or not, he wanted them to function with “singleness of heart.” For in so doing they would show forth the right relationship to have with the Master in their service to their master. Their obedience was to spring from knowing the “will of God from the heart” and that cannot truly be accomplished without a heart set on worship. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2 ) “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34).
PRAYER FOCUS
Worship the Lord today with singleness of heart purposing to serve Him obediently in adoration. Knowing that He desires towards you are only good (cf. Jeremiah 29:11) and regardless of the circumstance today your obedience is prerequisite to revival tomorrow.
