Can what our enemies destroyed be restored? Can a discouraged preacher be revived in spirit? Can darkness and gloom turn into rejoicing and singing? Let's look at revivals associated with Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah
1) Nahum’s Revival
Can revival also restore what our enemies have destroyed?
Nineveh is visited generations after Jonah, and is told, “The Lord is slow to get angry, but his power is great, and he never lets the guilty go unpunished.” (Nahum 1:3 NLT) Once repentant, Nineveh has become “the city of murder and lies!” (Nahum 3:1 NLT) Repented once does not mean repented again. But God asks, “Where can anyone be found who has not suffered from your continual cruelty?” (Nahum 3:19 NLT) Not often does God so completely describe His vengeance upon our enemies, “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19 NKJV) Again though, we see revival in that, “Even though the destroyer has destroyed Judah, the Lord will restore its honor. Israel’s vine has been stripped of branches, but he will restore its splendor.” Nahum 2:2 NLT)
Rejoice, lovers of God, He will revive what the enemies of His people have ruined, and though He is slow to anger, they “will be completely destroyed.” (Nahum 1:15 NLT)
2) Habakkuk’s Revival
Can a discouraged preacher be revived in spirit?
Habakkuk complains to God, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? … Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?” (Habakkuk 1:2-3 NIV) Calls for justice in a sinful nation are answered by God, “I am raising up the Babylonians” (Habakkuk 1:6 NIV) because it is through them that God will punish a sinful Jewish nation. Again, Habakkuk asks, why use a people worse than the Jews to punish them? And God answers. God warns the Babylonians, “Drink from the cup of the Lord’s judgment, and all your glory will be turned to shame.” (Habakkuk 2:16 NLT) Answers also come in a prophecy of worldwide revival, “For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, As the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14 NASB)
Rejoice, lovers of God, as a prophet’s questions are clarified, so too does God’s plan of worldwide revival become clearer.
3) Zephaniah’s Revival
Does revival turn darkness and gloom into rejoicing and singing?
Zephaniah is about the “day of the Lord” (Zephaniah 1:7, 14). Is it survivable because, “That day will be a day of wrath—a day of distress and anguish, a day of trouble and ruin, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and blackness” (Zephaniah 1:15 NIV)? About repentance for Judah and other nations, God is serious. Punishment for corruption is coming. And it will be a time of woe. Worldwide the wrath of God will be felt. Revival will also come because, “The remnant of Israel will trust in the name of the Lord,” (Zephaniah 3:12 NIV) and they will be told, “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17 NIV)
Rejoice, lovers of God, because all who are grafted into spiritual Israel through faith in God will have their fortunes revived.
Turn to the Lord and see Him restore what our enemies destroyed, revive discouraged preachers and turn darkness and gloom into rejoicing and singing.
