UNBLOCKING THE WELL OF THE LIVING WORD

Each devotional below begins with an excerpt from a transcript of a Duncan Campbell telling the story of how the 1949 Hebridean revival began[1]

Duncan Campbell said:-

“Before I begin the story I would like to say one thing, and that is that I did not bring revival to Lewis. It has grieved my heart again and again to read articles about the man that brought revival to Lewis.. notices on church boards, “Come and hear the man that brought revival to Lewis”. My dear people, it is not true! I don’t carry revival about with me in my pocket. Revival broke out in Lewis sometime before I went to the island. I thank God for the privilege of being in its midst for over three years. I went at the invitation of one parish minister for 10 days but God kept me there for three years, and I am thankful to God for the privilege, for perhaps in some small way, leading that movement and teaching the young converts in the deep things of God. Now, having said that, I want to read you a few lines from this little book, “The Lewis Awakening”. It will give you an idea of the desperate state of this island prior to this gracious movement. The Presbytery of Lewis met to consider the terrible drift away from the ordinances of the church, especially the drift away from the church by the young people of the island. Now here are words from a declaration that was read in all the congregations: “The Presbytery affectionately plead with their people, especially with the youth of the church to take these matters to heart and to make serious enquiry as to what must be the end should there be no repentance.”

How desperate are we for the youth of our nation? The presbytery of Lewis recognized the desperate state of the Isle of Lewis, particularly that the young people had drifted away from church. In the UK at present, the state of youth work is at a new low. We can relate today. Duncan Campbell said The Presbytery affectionately pleaded with their congregation to take this matter seriously. A number of people on the Isle of Lewis took this matter seriously and began to plead with God. We learn from the bible from the examples of Abraham and Moses, how to plead with God. Abraham pleaded and humbly argued on the basis of the justice of God. How could God punish the righteous with the wicked? Abraham also pleaded for the wicked to be spared for the sake of the righteous and again pleaded for God’s justice for the righteous Genesis 18:24. He argued from the righteous character of God. “Far be it from you to do such a thing – to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike.’[2] Similarly, Mosesargued from the history of God’s redeeming acts for Israel. He told God that it would be out of character with His great acts of mercy if He destroyed Israel. Moses argued from the glory of God’s name. Why should God permit the Egyptians to think Jehovah was like their Egyptian gods, who had evil motives and vile and evil tempers, and who had to be pacified by bribes in the form of sacrifice?Moses argued on the basis of God’s faithfulness to his loyal servants, Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and from promises He had given them. He boldly quoted back to God the promise He had made and held God to His own word Exodus 32:13’[3]

‘There is a sense in which prevailing with God can take the form of holy reasoning – yes, even presenting holy arguments before God. The bible at times uses court terms for our face-to-face meeting with God. “’Come let us reason together,’ says the Lord” Isaiah 1:18. This is an invitation to a court type hearing, a court appeal at the throne of God. God asked Israel to debate its case with Him. Spurgeon preached a great sermon entitled “Pleading”. He said, “It is the habit of faith, when she is praying to use pleas. Mere prayer sayers, who do not pray at all, forget to argue with God; but those who would prevail bring forth their reasons and their strong arguments… Faith’s act of wrestling is to plead with God, and say with holy boldness, ‘Let it be thus and thus, for these reasons.’” He preached, “The man who has his mouth full of arguments in prayer shall soon have his mouth full of benedictions in answer to prayer.”’ [4]

Lord, show me your heart for the youth of our nation and teach me how to pray.                                          

REFERENCES

(1)www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXIZOSWvXaE
(2)Wesley Duewel, Mighty prevailing prayer, 298.
(3)Wesley Duewel, Mighty prevailing prayer, 299-300.
(4)Wesley Duewel, Mighty prevailing prayer, 296.