OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL-WEDNESDAY-03/02/2016-REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT -BY PASTOR E.A. ADEBOYE
REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT
Memorise
Wilt thou not
receive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Psalm 85:6
Read
1st
Kings 19:4-8,
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the
wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for
himself that he might die; and said, it is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not
better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree,
behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake
baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink,
and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said,
Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went
in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount
of God.
KJV
MESSAGE
All human beings have an intense desire to
connect to God. One vital element that is required to connect to God is a nice
quiet atmosphere, devoid of daily concerns, where one can ruminate over
spiritual truths. Meanwhile, it is often difficult to create such within the
unrelenting activities of one’s daily life. This is why a retreat comes in
handy. A spiritual retreat could be defined as a sustained period of quiet,
uninterrupted time for a person to be reflective and receptive in God’s
presence. It offers a time to leave daily concerns, to connect with one’s
spiritual self, and to be attractive to the needs of one’s soul and spirit.
People seeking for a time of retreat often locate a retreat centre or a
specific geographical place that offers an atmosphere conductive for quite
reflection. The search for spiritual retreat has taken many to Prayer Mountains
and remote solitary places.
Mount Carmel is best known as the site of
Elijah’s battle against the prophets of Baal. However, the fact that Elijah and
Elisha frequently returned to Mount Carmel is an indication that they were
using the mountain for spiritual retreat. The overall purpose of a spiritual
retreat is to be transformed in whatever manner God chooses. Withdrawing to a
place of spiritual retreat offers a time for refreshment and nourishment of
life, a time to experience a continual sense of God’s presence that could
become a constant reality in everyday life. Acts 3:19 says,
“Repent ye
therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times
of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord”
Therefore, a time of spiritual retreat is a
time for sober reflection, repentance, rededication, revival and rejuvenation.
The book of 1st Kings 18:20-46 showed us the structure and pattern
of a spiritual retreat. First, Elijah rebuilt the ruined altar to Yehweh,
symbolising repentance and rededication of Israel to God. Then, he dug a trench
around the altar and poured 12 jars of water on the sacrifice, the wood, and
the altar, filling the trench, symbolising the activities of the Spirit.
Finally, he called on Yehweh, who answered immediately by fire that consumed
the whole sacrifice, including the water, the wood, and the stones of the
altar. This was immediately followed by heavy rains after three and half years
of drought. There was great celebration as the people rejoiced in the Lord for
a time of refreshing. A spiritual retreat always leads to celebration.
A spiritual retreat is also used a pursue
personal holiness and to stay connected to God. Several passages in the Gospels
according to Saint Mark and Matthew, give the account of Jesus retreating to
pray. This point out the importance of spiritual retreating to Christians.
Every child of God, as a matter of necessity, must constantly create time for
spiritual retreat, seeking the face of the Lord for cleansing, renewal,
re-dedication, and spiritual empowerment
Prayer Point
Father, please revive me again, that I may
experience a time of refreshing from above in Jesus’ name.
Bible in one year
Matthew 23:37-25:30, Job 15:7-21
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