Samson, Ruth And Samuel's Revivals Series

What can we learn from the revivals that occurred under three very different individuals, Samson's deathbed revival, Ruth's conversion to Israel's God and Samuel's strong preaching?

1) Samson’s Revival

Samson was another of God’s very imperfect leaders, yet his deathbed repentance brought revival.

Samson’s mother was told by an angel, “He will begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines.” (Judges 13-16 NLT) Growing up, “the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him” and God can do the same with any young person today. Years of bad decisions plagued him. Were there too many bad judgments for God to use him? Shameful living did not prevent God’s purpose, and so, “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him” (Judges 20:19 NIV). But, Samson’s suffering could have been avoided. Salvation for Israel from the Philistines was God’s purpose. Attained at last, freedom for Israel came, but what a tragic end was the unnecessary death of our hero.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that though our sins may be many, repentance and revival can still be ours, even at the very end of our lives.

2) Ruth’s Revival

Can spiritual revival in a gentile woman from a forbidden background be an inspiration to a nation?

Ruth’s family revival was being prepared the moment she said these words to her mother in law, “Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 NIV) Revival did not come immediately, but the die was cast. Was a foreigner going to be accepted in Israel? At word of her diligence and devotion to her widowed mother in law, Ruth gained favor. The fact that she lay at Boaz’s feet and not his side, indicates that this was innocent, and judging by Boaz’s later response this was probably her proposal of marriage. Hand it to her to not allow a generation gap to get in the way; Boaz had called her “my daughter” (Ruth 2:8 NKJV), indicating a great difference in age. Of all the ways for a woman to propose marriage, this was probably very awkward, but it worked. Boaz arranged the marriage, Ruth and her mother in law were saved from lives of lonely poverty, and Ruth became King David’s great grandmother.

Rejoice, lovers of God, because the Lord can bring revival to you and your family in many ways.

3) Samuel’s Revival

The story of Samuel begs the question, What kind of preaching does our church prefer, empty-headed fluff, or strong biblical messages?

How did it happen that, “all the people of Israel turned back to the Lord” (1 Samuel 7:2 NIV)? Samuel’s advice was, “Turn your hearts to the Lord and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines.” (1 Samuel 7:3 NLT) Preaching repentance is what John the Baptist and Jesus did, but some congregations can’t stand any strong preaching and will demand, “say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.” (Isaiah 30:10 KJV) Revived, Israel confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.” (1 Samuel 7:6 NKJV) A prayer meeting actually had a large attendance? Nation building does not begin with the perfect political or economic system, but with a heart for God, and because of their repentance, God subdued Israel’s enemies and gave them peace.

Rejoice, lovers of God, that there are churches that want to hear God’s word without dilution and will repent, preparing the way for revival.

Revival can come through a death bed repentance, the conversion and faithfulness of a pagan and strong, faithful biblical preaching.