"Old Man"

We ought to do things God’s way,

That’s what the old man said,

They found it hard to listen,

‘Cause they thought him almost dead.

Out-dated in his thinking,

Old-fashioned in his ways,

How could he be relevant,

When he talked of good old days.

But he was a revivalist,

Had seen God’s Spirit pour,

Awakening whole cities,

And open many doors.

And the old man knew the difference,

Between God and man-made plans,

And who gets all the glory,

When we’re led to take a stand.

So finally some listened,

Humbled down themselves in prayer,

Repented of their own sins,

And found the Spirit there.

And filled with holy fervor

They listened to God’s voice,

And heard Him give instruction,

Above the worldly noise.

Some things got redirected,

Some they didn’t do it all,

Some things got resurrected,

When they heard the Spirit’s call.

And it was all about the Savior,

And the people’s desperate need,

And the harvest that was coming,

And the planting of good seed.

Sown only to the Spirit,

Results eternal then,

And not just busy effort,

The religious vote to win.

And the old man smiled and listened,

As the Spirit bore the fruit,

With tears of joy and laughter,

As God’s love in lives took root.

He said, O Lord, I bless You,

That I saw it one more time,

And anytime You want to,

I’ll leave this world behind.

See, that’s what makes us ready,

When we’re letting heaven rule,

And live to give Him glory,

To the world look like a fool.

But it does not really matter,

‘Cause we love to see Him smile,

No matter if the schedule,

Requires us go an extra mile.

So don’t count out an old man,

Who’s seen revival when it came,

The moving of the Spirit,

And all done in Jesus’ name.

“And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.’ (Titus 2:12, NLT)

Only the Spirit can help us live with wisdom, righteousness and devotion to God. The great revivalists of yester year always called believers to repent of their sins and embrace a new dependence on the Holy Spirit. All too often the promotion of religious methods and advertising takes the place of spiritual awakening. But revival can never be manufactured or manipulated. it happens when God’s people are heart-broken over their own complicity with the world. Listen to the counsel of those who have seen and tasted the moving of God’s Spirit and they will all say the same thing. Turn from sin and seek the Lord.

Lord, send revival and let is begin in us, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Tyler Crow, used by permission. Thanks, Tyler, and God bless you.