Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

Greetings on a rainy morning, dear ones.

I was sitting in a dental chair with my mouth open soon after 7am. The anesthesia has not yet worn off. But I can almost whistle again.

Lots on the grill today. Better keep moving. Have a good one.

Love, Dad/Ray.

This segment of recorded history helps to underscore the inherent weaknesses and limitations of revival fires. It occurs to me again that my use of the word “fire” here is a very appropriate metaphor. Fires can be made to burn big and bright, but they don’t stay that way—not without some mechanism in place for maintainance—for constantly supplying the fire with fuel so as to keep it alive. Revivals tend to be only one generation long—if that. Their heat and fervor quickly fade into compromise and mediocrity. We are wise to notice the same tendency in ourselves personally and take appropriate and decisive measures. We are wise to understand that our own magnetic attraction of the NATURAL SIN NATURE makes a life of intentional godliness quite un-natural. No one is going to accidentally develop a HEART AFTER GOD—and accidentally fall into heaven.

Since Nehemiah was still in the employ of “Artexerxes king of Babylon” (13:6), he had to return to his duties there. He departed Jerusalem with revival fires burning hot. He records, “Some time later I asked his permission and came back to Jerusalem” (13:6-7). We’re not told how long he was away, but it couldn’t be very long. When he returned the revival fires had already dwindled and he had to address more corruption. Revivals that are not consistently maintained don’t last long.

There is probably no human relationship that better illustrates the natural attrition of revival fires than marriage. That relationship is typically burning bright and hot surrounding the wedding and honeymoon. But familiarity along with irritations and unresolved conflicts can slowly arrest the flames. If ignored or unchecked, the fire can go out completely. Statistics alone shout that we should be paying attention.

Nehemiah was clearly an agent of revival. Noteworthy is that his inspiration and authorization for being that was not born in Jerusalem, but far away, in the courts of Israel’s captive government. He was clearly a man of organizational and leadership abilities. And he clearly had a HEART AFTER GOD. But even gifted and Spirit-inspired people are still human—and may get a little carried away in their revival zeal. I suspicion some of that surrounding the case where Nehemiah gets very bent out of shape over some Jews marrying Gentile women. In his own words he says, “I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath in God’s name…” (13:25). Sorry, Nehemiah, but you can get all upset and froth at the mouth all you want to, but you’ll never be able to effectively legislate righteousness—or force a HEART AFTER GOD. If God can’t (or doesn’t), what makes you think you can?

Yes—by all means nurture a HEART AFTER GOD. At the same time, be very careful with the add-ons.