“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6 ESV)

What does revival look like?

After a small group of Gen-Z students stayed behind to pray and worship after the normal chapel service concluded recently at Asbury Christian University in Kentucky, it caught the attention of other students, who quickly returned to join them. Within a short time the numbers grew, the news spread over social and national media, large crowds began to swarm in from everywhere, and everyone was talking about it. Was (is) this a “revival” sent from God? Many think so, but many don’t. Only God knows for certain.  

My simple observation

The Asbury revival looks to me like young people turning to God with genuine repentance and sincere worship, and honoring and glorifying Jesus in the process. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in particular in charge or orchestrating it. It certainly looks like people are having a revival. Why should we argue about that? Isn’t that what we want to see happening, especially among our youth? I know I feel blessed to see it!

Alive with God’s presence

A genuine revival may look very different than what we think or expect and therefore be surrounded by controversy and questions as people try to figure it out. That’s because revival is something God does by His Holy Spirit. It changes hearts and lives as a result; people who experience it are revived and refreshed.

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.” (Acts 3:19-21 ESV)