Ps.85:6 – Will You not revive us again, so that Your people may rejoice in You?

Jonathan Edwards wrote a short book in 1735 called ‘The Narrative of the Surprising Work of God’. In it he described the visitation his church in Northampton, Massachusetts experienced in 1734 -1735. The small town of about 200 families experienced an awakening during this season that effected the whole town dramatically for about two years. The entire Connecticut Valley began to experience the effect of this move of God during that time. Several years later in about 1740 the entire thirteen American colonies began to experience the move of God; this is often referred to as the Great Awakening. Even today when reading this book you can feel the sense of God’s Spirit on the words, I believe there is something of God still germinating in our land for one final outbreak of the Spirit. Here is a short quote from Edwards’ book.

“This work of God, as it was carried on, and the number of true saints multiplied, soon made a glorious alteration in the town; so that in the spring and summer following, anno 1735, the town seemed to be full of the presence of God: it never was so full of love, nor so full of joy; and yet so full of distress, as it was then. There were remarkable tokens of God’s presence in almost every house. It was a time of joy in families on the account of salvation’s being brought unto them; parents rejoicing over their children as newborn, and husbands over their wives, and wives over their husbands. The goings of God were then seen in his sanctuary [Ps. 68:24], God’s day was a delight, and his tabernacles were amiable [Ps. 84:1]. Our public assemblies were then beautiful; the congregation was alive in God’s service, everyone earnestly intent on the public worship, every hearer eager to drink in the words of the minister as they came from his mouth; the assembly in general were, from time to time, in tears while the Word was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbors.”

Reading this testimony with an open heart can transport you through the centuries where you too can experience the power of His presence. This testimony describes a classic example of revival. Individuals from every family were coming to the Lord, there was a contagious environment that caused everyone to look forward to the next church gathering. Worship was a joy, every member hung on the words of the preacher, and there was apparently constant weeping in church. Some were weeping for joy at their new found faith, others were crying in repentance as they turned from their sin. This is what America needs right now, we need a fresh move of the Spirit of God.