CALLED & COMMISSIONED

Revival starts with ‘YES’

Ps Liam Barlow | Citipointe Church Brisbane

REVIVAL. We sing about it, talk about it, dream for it – but how do we actually see it come to pass? Today we read through Joshua 1-3. This is a time when the Israelites have journeyed through the wilderness for 40 years. They have wandered in the desert, losing hope and their minds through this long journey. Moses, the leader until this point, had just died. They needed a new leader! They needed someone to take them into the Promised Land, the place they dreamed of for 40 years.

God spoke to Joshua and told him that he would be the new leader. So God CALLS AND COMMISSIONS Joshua to ready the Israelites and to lead them into the Promised Land. God speaks many commands and details to Joshua, and he is obedient. There are a couple of inspirations we can draw from Joshua – his ability to honour discipline (Joshua 1:8), his ability to receive and cast vision to the people (Joshua 1:10), his ability to empower others (Joshua 2:1) and his desire to not just go for God but with His presence (Joshua 3:3). This was all anchored in Joshua's decision to say 'YES'.

When I think about all the historical revivals and all the people that have been used by God in a powerful way, I realise that they are not the most gifted, eloquent, charismatic or perfect people. BUT their ability to see personal and widespread impact is anchored in their obedience to say YES to God. No matter how radical or crazy, the YES was not led by the circumstance or benefits; it was anchored in God Himself. This is key because there is no such thing as revival without Jesus. In the Bible, Moses led the Israelites with a YES, Joshua crossed the Jordan with a YES, Noah built an ark with a YES, Peter saw 3000 people saved at Pentecost with a YES. Not to mention those after the Apostles - John Wesley, Evan Roberts, William Seymour and Billy Graham.

Who is next? Who will say YES? Who will answer the call? These greats are no longer alive. We honour them but we also understand their time is up. The burning question is – Who will lead the next awakening? Will it be you? Will it be us? A life of YES could be what this generation needs to cross into the promise of revival. To see Jesus magnified and glorified like never before. You are called and commissioned. But that doesn't mean much unless you are willing to say ‘YES’ to God and step into your destiny.