The Bible contains words of wisdom, comfort and warnings that can be used to guide us on the path of life. The phrase ‘revive’ is one of those words that has a deep and meaningful significance within scripture. To really understand its significance, we must understand the context and definition of the word revive within its scriptural meaning.
Revive is used to describe a physical and/or spiritual restoration back to life. A few easy examples of this are when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead as mentioned in John 11, when the lame man received his healing at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5, or when Elijah brought the dead son of the widow at Zarephath back to life in 1 Kings 17. These stories remind us of God’s power and the authority of his spirit to restore those whom he loves.
The Bible also uses the term ‘revive’ to refer to a spiritual renewal. For example, Psalm 85:6 which reads “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” speaks to the spirit being renewed with joy and faith in God and all that He has to offer.
In other instances, revive is used to refer to the external revival of another’s faith, such as back in the days of the early church when Peter preached and three thousand of his hearers were baptized and their spirits were revived (Acts 2:41). Of course, today we must still seek to revive the faith of those who are distant from Him. Here, revive reflects the idea of being passionate about the journey of faith, serving God, and having hope for what lies ahead in eternity.
Even in times of brokenness, we can look to the Bible as a source of hope for revival. For example, Isaiah 57:7-15 teaches us about how God renews faith and how brokenness may be transformed into something beautiful:
“I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares the Lord…who revives the spirit of the humble and revives the heart of the contrite.”
God’s message here is clear – he is always present, always willing and always able to heal and revive faith.
Revive in Modern Times
It’s ironic that while revive is so frequently used in scripture, we rarely use the term in modern times. This likely has to do with our tendency to avoid words of hope and faith, and focus more on materialism, worldly gains and accomplishments.
But if we allow ourselves to look past these things to seek out joy and fulfillment, we can truly understand the power of the word revive on a spiritual level. The Bible also tells us that revival of faith can come in many forms, such as learning scripture, loving God, prayer and worshipping. We can also look to other people to find encouragement and revival, such as pastors and spiritual leaders inspiring us with their words.
The Bible reminds us that it is crucial to “revive” our faith, as that’s how we are able to stay close to God and his desires. For example, Psalm 80:18-19 tells us to “…restore us and bring us back to you, that your people might rejoice in you again…” – a reminder that revival of faith leads us back to the Lord.
Restoration From Stress And Fear
An easy example of how revive can help us to renew our faith is with stressful situations. Everyone has experienced the medical, financial, relational and emotional stresses that come with daily life. These stressors often drive us away from our faith and the idea of looking to spiritual leaders and scriptures for help can be daunting. However, we must remember that the Bible specifically speaks to these situations.
When faced with difficulty, God speaks to our hearts and says “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). A reminder that no matter the circumstance, we possess the power to repent and have faith, and that God is always available to give us the strength and courage to revive and move forward.
Fear Of Loss
Everyone experiences fear at some point in their lives, but the Bible tells us that “perfect love casts out all fear” (1 John 4:18). When we are in despair, there’s no need to fear loss – God will still provide us with the nourishment we need to carry on, and He granted us the power to restore faith. When that faith is restored, we can move forward in life with joy and strength.
The Bible also helps us to see the importance of loving others, as well as loving and forgiving ourselves. After all, if we don’t love others, how can others love us? In order to restore faith, we must embrace love – but only the love that comes from above.
Lack Of Faith
When all doubt has been erased, the power of faith remains. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and it’s the key that allows us to develop a closer relationship with God. It is with this understanding that we know revival can come when we are deeply embedded in faith and obey God’s commands. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
In these moments, revive can remind us that the power of God can never be overcome. Psalm 85:6 specifically asks God “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” The fact that this Psalm answers itself is a sign of hope – reminding us that even when all seems lost, we can find solace and happiness in seeking revival of faith.
Whenever we may be struggling, feeling lost or in need of rest, it’s important to remember that revival is possible. We must never forget that God has the power to revive, restore and provide restorative justice when the time is right. Regardless of the situation, faith restored through revive will not only make the world brighter, but guide us closer to godly fulfillment.
