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Stagnant. That’s the word used to describe a lack of activity. Some synonyms are dull, sluggish, lethargic, depressed, and dead. Have you ever found yourself in a period of spiritual stagnation? Perhaps you were singing the last verse of a song in worship and suddenly realized you hadn’t been paying attention to any of the words. Or maybe you can’t recall the last time you really prayed. Maybe it’s been a while since you’ve thirsted for the Word. Or maybe you’ve started rushing home after services because you just don’t feel like fellowshipping with the saints. This month’s Bible-marking topic is for those times when you find yourself just going through the motions or when your heart feels dull. When God seems far away, fill your soul with these verses. Pray these verses! God understands. Many times the psalmists plead, “Revive me!” Perhaps there are times we need to plead that, too.

Revive Me- Psa. 19:7, 8

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul…the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart…

God’s Word, that which is “perfect” and “right,” revives! Underline “the law of the Lord” and “the statutes of the Lord” and circle “restoring” and “rejoicing.” At the end of the verse, write 51:12.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous spirit.

Circle the word “restore” and underline “joy of Your salvation.” If we’re in a slump and have lost our joy, we can pray these familiar words. We can memorize them and whisper them throughout the day. At the end of the verse, write 69:30,32.

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving…The humble have seen it and are glad; you who seek God, let your heart revive.

To appreciate the impact of these verses, go back through the psalm and look for words that describe how David was feeling. He was weary and tired of waiting (v. 3). He’d been treated unfairly (v. 4). He was rejected by his own family (v. 8). By the time he started feeling overwhelmed (v. 14,15), he pleaded, “Turn to me” (v. 16), “Do not hide Your face” (v. 17), and “Draw near to my soul” (v. 18). So what did David do when he felt like God was far away? Underline all of verse 30. Underline “seek God” and circle “revive” (some versions read “live”) in verse 32. At the end of the verse, write 119:25.

My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your Word.

In this psalm, we see “revive me” found multiple times. Circle “revive me” and underline “according to Your Word.” Sometimes when we find ourselves on autopilot, just going through the motions without any emotion, perhaps the problem is we’ve neglected to soak in God’s Word. At the end of the verse, write v. 37.

Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.

Circle “revive me” and underline “in Your way.” Could this verse be any more relevant? With entertainment, internet, social media, cell phones and devices all around us, perhaps we’ve become so filled with static that we’ve left no room for pursuing God’s way. When we’re feeling withdrawn, we can focus more on how we’re using our time. We can be more intentional in REAL communication with others and with God. At the end of the verse, write v. 50.

This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your Word has revived me.

Underline “Your Word” and circle “revived me” (some versions read “given me life”). If you’d like to circle the other “revive me” phrases found in Psalm 119, they appear in verses 88, 93, 107, 149, and 159. At the end of the verse, write 2 Cor. 4:16.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.

Read verses 13-15 to remind yourself of the context. Underline “do not lose heart.” Underline “inward man is being renewed day by day” and circle “renewed.” When spiritually stagnant, refocus on the spiritual instead of the physical (see also vs. 17,18). At the end of the verse, write Rev. 3:1-3.

…I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain, which were about to die. So remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent. Therefore, if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come to you.

Sometimes a sober reminder is needed to wake us up! These Christians had become stagnant. Underline “you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” Circle both “wake up” phrases. Draw squares around “strengthen,” “remember,” “keep it,” and “repent.”

“Revive us again; fill each heart with Thy love;

May each soul be rekindled with fire from above.”

(William P. Mackay)

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Kathy Pollard

Kathy Pollard attended Faulkner University in Montgomery, AL, and the Bear Valley Bible Institute in Denver, CO.She holds a bachelor degree in Biblical Studies.She is married to Neal, who preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY.They have 3 sons (Gary, Dale, and Carl) and a sweet daughter-in-law, Chelsea.Kathy is a columnist for Christian Woman magazine, and author of the book, Return to Me—What to Do when Loved Ones Fall Away.You can follow her at her blog, Life and Favor (www.life-and-favor.com).

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