REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT – Wednesday
February 3rd 2016
REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT
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.
Bible in one year: Matthew 23:37-25:30, Job 15:7-21
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.
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