by Tom Wagoner
As we seek the Lord’s face for revival, I am so encouraged by the stories of revival and stirrings in our Fellowship. I am most encouraged by the scriptures that seem to be coming regularly in my searching. In particular, James 5:7, seemed to leep from the page the other day as I was praying for revival and asking God to confirm to my own heart and soul that we are on the right path.
But stories and stirrings only go so far. In reading this particular passage, my heart was filled with joy. I know that there are many good men who differ in their interpretation of this particular passage and I just want to share my thoughts that I believe came from the heart of God for me regarding revival. “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord.” Before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that there will be one more great revival. I am not alone in this. A great preacher of the past, Stephen Olford, shared that James 5:7 provides strong hope for those of us who are trusting Him for revival, that we will see one more big move of God before Jesus returns.
The scripture says, “the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth” and I can see our God looking down upon the creation and with great patience, though the time is predetermined in the heart of God, he waits patiently for one more soul, one more community to be changed, for one more harvest, for the precious fruit of the earth. With long patience He waits “until he receive the early and latter rain.”
Bible commentators tell us that the rains were essential to the planting and the harvest, the entire process of the fruit being reaped. Opposite from our particular regions, the early rains would come around the fall in October. This would facilitate the planting of the seeds and the germination process. Around April they would expect this awesome latter rain that would come in preparation for a bountiful harvest.
Many Bible scholars believe the early rain represents what occurred and began in the book of Acts, and we have seen evidences of it through the years in the 1700s and 1800s, and in different places we have read and commented on the awesome moves of God in Wales, the islands off of Scotland, in New York City, and in New England. There are wonderful records kept in Heaven of every great move of God that has occurred. I just happen to believe that there will be one more awesome rain of revival before Jesus comes again. Let’s keep believing God, and let’s keep repenting. God help us to confess our sins and to cry out, “Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach” (Joel 2:17).
Lord, we believe you for a great revival. We cry out to you, we listen for you.