Message Notes

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

Session 6

ANALYSIS OF THE THIRD PRAYER FOR REVIVAL
Psalm 119: 81-88

1. Review
(Always practise Review)

a) Prayer for revival of strength to conquer adverse external circumstances           Psalm 119:25-32

b) Prayer for revival to bring about power to overcome internal problems like covetousness              Psalm 119: 33-40

2. A New Perspective
Problems in life, like persecution, can affect the soul adversely.
Revival needed to overcome foreboding sense of despair.

3. The special problems of life that threaten the vitality of our soul

a) The persecutors

“How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?         Psalm 119:84

“All Your commandments are faithful,
They persecute me wrongfully; Help me!”    Psalm 119:86

“They almost made an end of me on earth;
But I did not forsake Your precepts”             Psalm 119:87

b) The proud

“The proud have dug pits for me,
which is not according to Your law”             Psalm 119:85

4. The more worrying problem

a) Weaknesses

b) Inadequate responses

i) A complaining attitude                   (Cf. Psalm 73-77)

ii) Despair

iii) Almost on the verge of giving up

5. Some inadequate responses observed

a) Fainting (desperation and despair)

“My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word”                  Psalm 119:81

i) Faints

ii) Hope needed to shore up feelings of desperation and despair

b) Failing to find comfort

“My eyes fail from searching Your word,
saying ‘When will You comfort me”              Psalm 119:82

i) Comfortless

ii) Seeking special comfort from the Lord   (Cf. 2 Corinthians 1)

c) Drying up

“For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes”                             Psalm 119:83

i) State of the soul hinted at… drying up

ii) Holding on to the word of God for dear life

6. A plaintive cry for revival

“Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
so that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth”      Psalm 119:88

a) A desperate cry for life itself (preservation)          Cf. Psalm 140

b) A desire to keep God’s testimony despite problems

7. Basis of pleading for Revival

a) Pleading revival according to God’s word                        Psalm 119:25b

b) Pleading revival according to God’s righteousness           Psalm 119:40b

c) Pleading revival for to God’s lovingkindness                   Psalm 119:88a

ANALYSIS OF THE FOURTH PRAYER FOR REVIVAL
Psalm 119: 105-112

Review:

1. Prayer for revival of strength amidst a generally barren/hostile world environment

2. Prayer for revival to have power to overcome the flesh that is inclined towards covetousness

3. Prayer for revival to overcome mood of despair when under persecution

INTRODUCTION

1. The 3rd-6th Prayers for Revival are closely related

2. The common theme – Affliction

a) Revival amidst persecution (3rd prayer – Psalm 119:81-88)

b) Revival despite affliction (4th prayer – Psalm 119:105-112)

c) Revival amidst feeling deeply troubled (5th prayer – Psalm 119:145-152)

d) Revival to battle wickedness (6th prayer – Psalm 119:153-160)

3. A recurrent theme

a) Many psalms attempt to deal with the problem of affliction

b) Afflictions come in many forms, hence the theme is dealt with frequently

c) Afflictions make different impact, hence there will always be variations of responses

REVIVAL AMIDST AFFLICTION
The subject of affliction

1. When orchestrated by the Lord

“Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word”                          Psalm 119:67

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes”                    Psalm 119:71

“I know that Your judgments are right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me”         Psalm 119:75

a) There is direct mention and reference to the Lord giving the affliction

b) The psalmist speaks of learning much from these afflictions

2. When afflictions are caused by the wicked

“I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word”        Psalm 119:107

“My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law”                                   Psalm 119:109

“The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts”              Psalm 119:110

a) There is no mention of the Lord in these afflictions

b) Instead there is the mention of the wicked involved in these afflictions

c) See also the following texts

“I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts”                           Psalm 119:141

“Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights”               Psalm 119:143

3. Wherein is the significance of a prayer for Revival?

“I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word”        Psalm 119:107

There is tremendous determination expressed to keep God’s laws when afflicted and suffering for one’s faith in the Lord!

4. Strong and powerful determinations

a) Oath

“I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments”              Psalm 119:106

b) Not strayed

“The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts”              Psalm 119:111

c) Heritage forever

“Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart”                    Psalm 119:111

d) Decided Inclination

“I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end”                                        Psalm 119:112

ANALYSIS FOR THE FITH PRAYER FOR REVIVAL
Psalm 119: 145-152

Review:

1. Hostile world
Revival – Strength to cope with living in a hostile world

2. Materialism
Revival – Conquering of materialism/covetousness

3. Persecution
Revival – To overcome feelings of despair

4. Affliction
Revival – Determination to be steadfast in faith

REVIVAL AMIDST PROXIMITY OF WICKEDNESS

1. The Problem of Wickedness

a) General understanding

b) Uneasy acceptance

2. The Proximity of wickedness

“They draw near who follow after wickedness;
They are far from Your law”                                   Psalm 119:150

a) Concern about people who are far from the law and who follow after wickedness

b) Concern about their proximity

i) Influence

ii) Inflicting of harm on the innocent

3. Prayer for Revival

a) Manner of prayer stands out

“I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help; I hope in Your word”                    Psalm 119:147

“My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word”                         Psalm 119:148

i) There is a great sense of urgency

ii) There is a sense of desperation

4. Basis of pleading for revival
Review

a) “Revive me according to Your word”                   Psalm 119:25a, 107b

i) According to God’s plan

ii) This plan may be discovered through the knowledge of God’s word

b) “Revive Me in Your righteousness”                     Psalm 119:40b

i) God’s righteousness

ii) For the sake of His righteous name

c) “Revive me according to Your lovingkindness”    Psalm 119:88a

i) According to God’s own declaration about His attributes

ii) Pleading for God’s mercy essentially

5. Special Features of this prayer for revival

a) Proximity of God

“You are near, O LORD,
And all Your commandments are truth”                   Psalm 119:151

i) An appreciation

ii) As comfort

iii) As defence

b) Prayer effort

“I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O LORD! I will keep Your statutes.

I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.”            Psalm 119:145-146

i) Urgency

ii) Earnestness

ANALYSIS FOR THE SIXTH PRAYER FOR REVIVAL
Psalm 119: 153-160

Review:

1. Revival – Strength to live above a hostile world

2. Revival – Power to overcome Materialism/covetousness

3. Revival – Might to battle dark feelings of despair caused by persecution

4. Revival – Steadfastness amidst afflictions

5. Revival – Sensing the Nearness of God rather than nearness of wickedness

REVIVAL TO BATTLE WICKEDNESS ACTIVELY

1. Strong cries for revival

“Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word”                                   Psalm 119:154

“Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD,
Revive me according to Your judgments”                            Psalm 119:156

“Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness”     Psalm 119:159

2. Context of these cries for revival

a) Affliction

“Consider my affliction and deliver me;
For I do not forget Your law”                                  Psalm 119:153

b) Vindication

“Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word”                        Psalm 119:154

c) The wicked

“Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes”                         Psalm 119:155

d) Persecutors

“Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies”                  Psalm 119:157

e) The treacherous

“I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word”                      Psalm 119:158

Revived to Battle wickedness

1. Holding fast to the word of God
“I do not forget Your law”                                      Psalm 119:153b

2. A steadfast love for God’s word
“Consider how I love Your precepts”                      Psalm 119:159a

3. Banner of truth
“The entirety of Your word is truth,
And everyone of Your righteous judgments endures forever”          Psalm 119:160

REVIEW OF PRAYER FOR REVIVAL (Psalm 119)

1. Survival – amidst hostile surroundings

2. Strength – to overcome materialism/covetousness

3. Steadiness – to overcome dark feelings of despair

4. Steadfastness – amidst affliction

5. Sensing the nearness of God

6. Success in battling wickedness