AN EDITORIAL REVIVAL IN THE MIDST OF GOD'S PEOPLE “REVIVALS NEVER COME CHEAPLY OR ACCIDENTALLY.” S WE MARK the seventy-fifth indifference, and deliverance from mentary expression of compassion anniversary of the founding spiritual lethargy. The Holy Spirit For days he mourned and mourned A of the Church of the Nazarene, itbrings is spiritual life and health, and deeply burdened over the neglec unmistakably clear that the church power for holy living among God’s and indifference of the people o we enjoy was born in the midst of a people. Revival is personal— the God. More than that, he was fore© genuine revival, a real outpouring of dealing of God’s Spirit with the indi­ to fast because of the intensity c the Holy Spirit in revival and renewal vidual. Are we ready for such re­ his burden for his homeland and he power. Perhaps our greatest need in vival? Do we really want God’s vis­ people. As he fasted and waited be this seventy-fifth year is another vis­ itation in this manner? Would we fore God, undoubtedly every hunge itation of God’s spirit in revival and face up to the deep searching and pain reminded him of his fasting renewal power upon the church. moving of God’s Spirit in our hearts? Thus as he fasted he continued t( Revivals never come easily or One who lived long ago in a time bombard the throne of heaven witl cheaply. There is always personal of great spiritual as well as material his cry for revival. cost— humility of heart, a receptive and national need was the prophet The Psalmist cried, “Wilt thou no ear to God’s voice, an obedient and Nehemiah. When he came back revive us again: that thy people ma contrite spirit. Revival implies bro­ from captivity to help restore and re­ rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6). kenness, renewal, restoration, reha­ build the nation of the Jewish peo­ Again I remind us, revivals neve bilitation, and spiritual recon­ ple, he declared his action: “Now it come cheaply or accidentally. Ne struction. It brings relief from the came about when I heard these hemiah prayed to the God c burden of sin and recovery for back­ words, I sat down and wept and heaven. Here is the delivery room c slidden Christians. It eventually mourned for days; and I was fasting genuine revival. Here is where th reaches out to the unsaved and the and praying before the God of labor pains of godly concern resu unchurched, but it begins with God’s heaven” (Nehemiah 1:4, NASB). in the birth of revival. people. He knew the need of renewal and He organized— he w ept— h Revival is the work of the Holy restoration, but he did more than mourned— he fasted— he prayec Spirit of God among His people pro­ merely face the need—he re­ for days he prayed. Then renew; ducing humbled hearts, a deep sponded by weeping, mourning, and revival came. Are we willing t sense of unworthiness, brokenness fasting, and praying for days before travel this route in this our day? Gcx of spirit, conviction for sins of dis­ the God of heaven. He was filled make it so in this our Diamond Jub obedience, destruction of spiritual with compassion for the desolation lee Year! of Jerusalem—the reproach of the people, the broken down walls, the burned gates, the need for revival throughout the city and the land. Nehemiah’s weeping was no mo­ by General Superintendent Orville W. Jenkins HERALD OF HOLINESS e c e n t l y , o u r strated through boldness house had a private in witnessing and the liv­ Rdectrical blackout. The ing of a holy life. How sad it louses and buildings all is to see the power of Al­ iround us had electricity, mighty God nullified by iut we had none. In searchi­ spiritual blackouts. ng for the problem we Whenever a spiritual ound there was no trouble blackout takes place, what­ >etween the source of our ever the cause, we may be tower and the house. All sure that God wants to fix he power we needed for the power failure. He has >ur lights and appliances promised to meet all our o work was coming into needs (Matthew 6:33) and he house as it should. The we know that He is “able to rouble was in the house it- do exceeding abundantly elf. The power was there, above all that we ask or waiting to be used. All the think, according to the bring and fixtures were in power that worketh in us” heir proper place, and in (Ephesians 3:20). But res­ /orking order—but there toration of power is not au­ /as no power. tomatic. We finally discovered SPIRITUAL Before God is able to re­ hat the main breaker store spiritual power, ac­ witch had burned out and BLACKOUTS tion must first be taken on eeded to be replaced. The the Word of God. “If my splacement part was pur- by J. KENNETH WILLIAMS people, which are called by hased and quickly in- my name, shall humble tailed. When the main themselves, and pray, and ower switch was flipped back on, lights brightened seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then loms, motors started running, and food started cook- will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and lg. The power that had been waiting to be used was will heal their land”—restore their power— (2 Chroni­ ot flowing freely throughout the house. The wires and cles 7:14). “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace xtures were once again performing their intended unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. isks. Evidence of the power working in the house Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to bounded. The blackout had ended! God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, Unfortunately, churches and believers experience ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. leir private spiritual blackouts as well. The Source of Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he leir power is present, waiting to be used. Each of the shall lift you up” (James 4:66-8, 10). If these directives fixtures" is in place and in working order— but there from God’s Word are followed, He will repair any no power. For one reason or another, a switch has power problems we may have and our lights will once 3en burned out (or turned off) and the power of God again be able to shine brightly for Christ. not flowing through. In times of spiritual blackouts, the problem is never in the Source of our power; God is the same “Yesterday, Jesus told his disciples: “ Ye shall receive power, after and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). All the power lat the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be we need is available to us, waiting to be used. If there is itnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8). Churches and believers a spiritual blackout, the trouble lies within, and God’s "e to be “endued with power from on high” (Luke Word must be applied to our hearts until His power is 1:49). God intends that His power flow freely through flowing freely through us. Then, the evidence of His lem, giving light and life. This power is to be demon- power working in us will abound. We will be bold wit­ nesses for the Gospel of Christ to a world that is lost J. KENNETH WILLIAMS Is a Nazarene Missionary In the and dying in darkness and sin. We will love a holy life. 'epublic o f South Africa. The blackout will be ended! □ OCTOBER 15. 1983 3 HERALD m5 h o l i n e s s Bible Quotations in this issue: Unidentified quotations are from the KJV. Quotations from the following translations M . M . w. E. M c C U M B E R , E dito r in Chief are used by permission: IVAN A. BEALS, Office Editor (NIV) From The Holy Bible, New International Version, copyright © 1978, by New York MABEL ADAM SON, Editorial Assistant international Bible Society. (TLB) From The Living Bible. © 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers. Wheaton, III, Contribution I V. H. LEWIS • ORVILLE W . JENKINS (NKJ8) From the New King James Bible—New Testament, copyright c 1979. Thomas LiOntnouting CHARLES H STRICKLAND • EUGENE L. STOWE Nelson, Inc.. Publishers. E d i t o r s . | W |LUAM M GREATHOUSE • JERALD D. JOHNSON General Superintendents, Church o f the Nazarene HERALD OF HOLINESS (USPS 241-440) is published semimonthly by the NAZARENE PUBLISHING HOUSE. 2923 TROOST AVE., KANSAS CITY. MO 64109. Editorial Office at 5401 COVER PHOTO: by Dick Smith The Paseo Kansas City MO 64131 Address all correspondence concerning subscript ons to Nazarene Publishing House. PO Box 527. Kansas City. MO 64141 CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Village Church, Hebron, N.H. Send us your new ad dre ss, inclu ding Z IP cod e, as w ell as yo u r o ld address, and enclose a label from a recent copy SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: $5 50 per year Second-class postage oaid at Volume 72, Number 20 October 15, 1983 Whole Number 3384 K ansa s C ity M o Litho in U.S.A. IN THIS ISSUE REVIVAL IN THE MIDST OF GOD’s PEOPLE.. 2 THE REWARD EXCEEDS THE INVESTMENT................13 General Superintendent Orville W. Jenkins Carolyn Merrifieli SPIRITUAL BLACKOUTS...............................