Well, what a wonderful pilgrimage to the Isle of Lewis to attend the Hebridean Revival Conference in Stornoway. After a long journey including several ferries and long hours of driving there and back, today has been a day to just ‘marinate’ in the experience of the time away.
I went in fear, to be honest. Whilst my heart yearns for a revival of God’s people for the praise of his glory, I don’t think very many of us are ready for what that means. And be assured I am primarily talking about me when I say that. My heart is willing, but my flesh is weak. I am hopeful and doubtful. I am desperate and despondent. Did I mention tired?
Before the conference, my travelling companion and I go over to Barbhas. We stand outside the church where the 49-52 Lewis Revival began. The Police station where 600 souls knelt on the road in confession. The location of the wee cottage where the Smith sisters pray so powerfully, and to Arnol to see the house that shook as the Holy Spirit moved. Again, wonder that God should choose this place of all places to move.
The answer to that, of course, was voiced by one of the speakers on the first evening: God delights to come where he is wanted and there were those in Lewis who wanted him desperately. Question is, ‘do we want him?’ Do I want him? Does the church want him? Do my congregation want him?’
The rest of the sessions continued with word after word to the heart. Drink deep, Andrew. Listen well, store up, and prepare.
There was one moment in particular that felt like the whole room was transported to the throne room of God. When I say moment, I mean quite a long time as the programme went out the window. The presence of God stopped the clock as the 400 or so gathered ministered to the Lord with worship and deep longing. Longing for him.
This is the key – we long for Jesus and his presence amongst his people. That’s how revival comes. We don’t seek an ‘it’, we seek Him. And, any lack of corporate revival doesn’t meant that I, personally, should not be revived in his presence. ‘Send revival, start with me.’
Today I expected it: the spiralling waves of doubt, temptation, distraction, derailment and disturbance. The enemy’s tactics are old and predictable. Time tested, you might say. But no, too obvious.
The subtle art? The question: ‘was that really of God? Did God really say that?’ Also tried and tested. Jesus shows us that we respond to this in Him and through His word, and so the sword is drawn and the accuser is sent packing.
I have plenty to pray through and reflect upon, too much for one day. Wait for the Lord, have courage and wait.
Andrew S M Clark 