It is only reasonable to believe that I am not the only christian, pastor, parent, grandparent, citizen who is asking the Lord to PLEASE SEND REVIVAL to HIS PEOPLE. Steven Olford says "Revival is an invasion from heaven which brings a concious awareness of God".  Robert Coleman gives a definition of revival as " That soverign work of God in which God visits his own people restoring and releasing into the fullness of his blessing".  Vance Havner gives one of my favorite descriptions of revival - " Revival is the church falling in love with Jesus all over again".  In Acts 3:19 the Apostle Peter gives a promise to the Lords church in that " Seasons of refreashing will come to us from the presence of the Lord". 

Revival is for God's people and we desperately need it in our lives, homes, churches and nation. Our present day situation is growing darker moment by moment in both the physical and spiritual realm. What is taking place in many christian families and churches is horrific. And without the Lords merciful sending revival to our hearts there seems little hope. But the Lord is almighty and is able to turn things around for our good and his glory. 

Our present day is much likened to the days of Samuel in 1st Samuel chapter 7. The People of Israel were doing what seemed right in their own eyes and they were in a terrible condition. Worst than we might think and I think our present condtion is worst than we might think. The Lord had allowed and orchestrated a long time of hard days and spirtitual drought. To study the first 6 chapters in 1st Samuel good idea of how difficult these days had become and how displeased God had become with his people. The Lord had ceased manifesting himself to his people as well as protecting and providing for them. WHY - because in his mercy he is allowing these circumstances to bring them back to himself so he may revive them. 

1st Samuel 7 can be outlined as the following :

I. The Drought before the Rain. (1-2)

" There will always be spiritual drought in the land before God will send revival"

II. The Sorrow before Joy. ( 2b)

" God gets our attention with sorrow- Godly Sorrow works our repentance."

III. The Requirements before Revival. ( 3 )

" God's revival has conditional promise"    

A. Return to the Lord with all your heart.

B. Remove foreign gods ( idols) from amound you.

C. Redirect your hearts. 

D. Recommit to serving the Lord. 

IV.  The Obedience before Blessing. (4-6)

" We obey by confessing our sin, surrendering our lives and fasting in prayer"

V. The Opposition before the Victory. (7)

"Revival is always opposed by self, sin and satan, revival never comes easy". 

VI. The Prayer before Power.  (7-9)

" Revival always involves prayer". 

VII. The Results of the Revival. (10-17)

A. The enemies were defeated. 

B. God's provisions were acknowledged.

C. Gods protection was reactivated.

D. God's property was restored. 

E. God's peace was pervasive.

F. God's people were cared for. 

God sent revival to Israel in a day that looked like there was no hope. But in God's mercy God revived his people in spite of the circumstances. He can do the same today for his church if we meet the conditions. Even if we are in the last days just before the rapture of the church and our nation does not return to the Lord. May Jesus send daily revival to each of us and when he returns may he find us red hot ( not lukewarm) and ready. 

If you want to study 1st Samuel chapter 7 in its fullest go to  libertyfamily.org  and click on sermons and listen to  Part 1 & 2  of my messages entited "Revival under Samuel."  These messages part of  the " After Gods Heart", a study of 1st Samuel series .