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6th Retreat: Revive Me Session 5

9 November 2007

YAG 6th RETREAT
Pulai Springs, JB
8-10 November 2007
Theme: “Revive me”

Session 5                  

ANALYSIS OF THE SECOND PRAYER FOR REVIVAL
Psalm 119:33-40

INTRODUCTION

1. Important questions

a) How long does a revival last?

b) How do we understand the need to seek a second revival?

2. The issue of “repeated revivals”

a) The psalmist prays for revival again and again

b) What does that mean?

i) That revival has not been given?

ii) That revival has not been sustained?

iii) That there are other factors (circumstances) can adversely affect the health and and vitality of the soul?

 

CONTEXTS OF A PRAYER FOR REVIVAL

1. Comparison

a) First prayer for revival (The problem of a lack of strength)

“My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.”                       Psalm 119:25

“My soul melts from heaviness
Strengthen me according to Your word”                  Psalm 119:28

i) The psalmist seems to be dealing with an “internal” problem

ii) In his prayer for revival, his focus is for “strength”

b) Second prayer for revival (The problem of covetousness)

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
and not to covetousness”                  Psalm 119:36

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
and revive me in Your way”              Psalm 119:37

“Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness”     Psalm 119:40

i) The psalmist seems to be dealing with an “external” problem

ii) This could well be a problem of coveting “worthless things”

2. Living in a very materialistic world

a) Warning given at the very beginning         Deuteronomy 8:6-20

b) Warning given by apostles                       1 Timothy 6; 1 John 2

3. The danger of “covetousness”

a) It is not that there is a lack of provision

“Return to your rest, O my soul,
For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you”          Psalm 116:7

b) It is a problem of “greed”

i) An influence from the world

ii) A warming of the heart to materialism

iii) The onset of spiritual decline

4. The answer to the problem of covetousness
A series of prayers

a) Prayer for God to be directly involved in teaching

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
and I shall keep it to the end”                                  Psalm 119:33

i) God does teach                    Psalm 25:8-9; Isaiah 50

ii) He teaches through the Holy Spirit           John 14-16; Romans 8

iii) Recognition of the need to be taught in greater depth

b) Prayer for understanding

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart”        Psalm 119:34

i) Teaching is one thing; understanding is another

ii) Deep understanding is needed

c) Prayer for strong involvement from the Lord

“Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
for I delight in it”                                                      Psalm 119:35

“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
and not to covetousness”                                         Psalm 119:36

“Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
and revive me in Your way”                                    Psalm 119:37

“Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good”                                Psalm 119:39

i) Recognition of the struggle against coveting “worthless things”

ii) Recognising the weakness of the flesh; inclination to worldly things

iii) Recognising the need for extra help/leading from the Lord

d) A prayer to be established

“Establish Your word to Your servant;
who is devoted to fearing you”                                Psalm 119:38

i) A good beginning is not the same as being “established”

ii) Many falter and fail along the way

iii) A vital prayer to be made

e) Plea for Revival

“Behold, I long for Your precepts,
Revive me in Your righteousness”                            Psalm 119:40

i) The longing for God’s word is still there

ii) Revival is needed to rekindle this love for God’s word

iii) Revival is needed to put to death the problem of coveting

iv) Revival is needed to come alive to God and His word again