When God is the Talk of the Town
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if everywhere you went in your town everyone was talking about God? That’s what happens in revival. When God manifests His presence He attracts attention; a lot of attention.
Duncan Campbell went to the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland to conduct two-weeks of meetings in the 1950’s and stayed for two years because God visited the people. Writing about the revival He said, “God was everywhere!” What did He mean? Don’t we all know that God is everywhere? But Campbell was talking about the manifest presence of God which he described by saying, “Revival is a community saturated with God.”
When God manifests His presence and pours out His Spirit people’s awareness of God is heightened. His presence is unmistakable. Campbell also said, “Revival is a going of God among His people and an awareness of God laying hold of a community.”
God becomes the talk of the town.
When the spies entered Jericho they heard the words of Rahab who spoke of God’s renowned. “We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you...and as soon as we heard these things our hearts melted: neither did there remain any more courage in anyone because of you.” The whole city was buzzing with talk of the LORD and His mighty acts among His people.
When Jonah came to Nineveh with the smell of fish breathe still on him proclaiming that the judgment of God was coming the whole city repented. From the King to the peasant everyone was talking about God.
When Paul and his missionary party proclaimed the gospel in Ephesus the whole city was in an uproar. Theirs was a negative reaction but still, God was the talk of the town!
History is replete with examples of times of such revival. Can it happen again? Indeed it can. That is why God has raised up a people who will seek His face with repentant hearts and faith filled prayers. Such people are asking God in mercy to bring His transforming presence to their cities. They know that when He does He will be the talk of the town.
Lord, you deserve the glory among all people. Have mercy on us. We seek Your face for an outpouring of Your Spirit. We long for the day when the people in our city will no longer be able to ignore You. For Your name’s sake, show us Your glory. Become the talk of the town!
Pastor Dan