A Thanksgiving Revival
[ Extracted and edited from D2Y2 Magazine – Volume 2 Issue 8, May 1999 ]
Revival is the sovereign work of God in men and the evidence of it is seen in the way that men live from day to day. Just like it was in the beginning, where “the earth was without form and void… And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the earth…” (Genesis 1:2). Likewise, the spirit of revival hovers over us with the intention to create in us some kind of form and likeness that would bring forth light and life.
Revival is void and vague if it does not take any form. Revival must be transformed into lives if it is to be of any use. It must manifest itself in daily habits and bring joy not only to ourselves, but also to others around us. In other words, it must be contagious. Then, and only then can revival continue until the Lord returns.
The first of revival habits that I would like to deal with is that of thankfulness. In 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Paul proclaims that in the last days that men will be disobedient to parents and unthankful. Many, if not most of our young people today are proving this to be true and fulfilling the prophecy.
It is a tragic thing to be ungrateful or to forget the things that people have done for you.
This should not be with a youth that claims to be on fire for God. I suggest that we take some time off our usual schedule today to just think of some people that have helped us come this far. Some of them may not be helping us anymore today but they too deserve a thought.
Do not just think of what they didn’t do or could have done better. Think of how God brought them your way, even if it was just for a moment. Even if it was just a 20 sen gift to help you make that important call or a listening ear to help you get through a tough night. It is a tragic thing to be ungrateful or to forget the things that people have done for you.
No matter what the complaint or misunderstanding was, thank God for the people He has brought your way. Some of them were just the iron needed to sharpen you. God has brought many people my way in these last 4 years. Many are still very close to me while a few keep their distance. I have learnt to appreciate all of them. I do not know how it would have been for me if they were not sent my way, even if it were only for a season.
Gratefulness is not an option, it is an attitude of one who has been revived by the Holy Spirit.
Out of these relationships, many compliments have traveled far enough to reach and refresh me while a fair (sometimes unfair) share of complaints have found their way as well to my discouragement and hurt. Yet, God has never failed to sit me down at least once a month in these past 4 years to think of, give thanks, and pray for ALL the people He has used to bless my family, my ministry, and me. He taught me to do it regardless of whether they still believed in me or not.
Gratefulness is not an option, it is an attitude of one who has been revived by the Holy Spirit. There is something about thanksgiving that brings release. Both to the one who gives thanks as well as to the one given thanks to. I pray that this generation will usher back the revival of thanksgiving and leave the ‘fulfilling of the last days Bible prophecy’ (see above) to others.
D2Y2, which stands for Don’t Despise Your Youth, was an official Asian Youth Ambassador (AYA) magazine birthed out in the late 90s. The printed materials communicated dynamic and effective encouragement to and from the Church, with special emphasis on the knowledge and experiences of our Christian youths, which we believe the content is still relevant and applicable in this current generation.