REVIVAL THROUGH RETREAT
Memorise: Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may
rejoice in thee? – Psalms
85:6
Read: 1 Kings 19:4-8 (KJV)
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 15:17-21
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 attentive 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 conducive for quiet reflection. The search for spiritual retreats
has taken many to prayer Mountains and remote solitary places.
Mount Carmel is best known as the site Elijah battled against the prophets of
Baal. However, the fact that Elijah and Elisha frequently return 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 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. Act
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 1 Kings 18:20-46 showed us the structure and pattern of spiritual retreat. First,
Elijah rebuilt the ruined altar to YAHWEH, 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 YAHWEH,
who answered immediately by fire that consumed the whole sacrifice, including
the water, the wood, 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 to 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 retreat 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, rededication, and spiritual
empowerment.
Prayer Point: Father, please revive me again, that I may experience a
time of refreshing from above in Jesus name.
HYMN 2: O JESUS, I HAVE
PROMISED
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