In February 2023, something special happened in our country—what many refer to as the Asbury Revival.
At a regular chapel service, as the students worshipped, the Spirit of God fell, and for 16 days, there was a constant flow of people in the chapel worshipping, praying, and repenting.
What caught my attention recently, though, is when the leaders there determined not to refer to it as the Asbury Revival but the Asbury Outpouring. Their reasoning was that a revival refers to a renewal of spiritual life among believers that is marked by repentance, restored faith, and transformed living. And in their estimation, that hadn’t happened yet. Yes, the Holy Spirit came. An outpouring occurred—a powerful, tangible manifestation of the Holy Spirit—but they hadn’t seen the fruit of changed lives yet.
They understood that an outpouring is just the beginning. True revival requires a sustained response from God’s people.
We see this same pattern in Scripture. In Nehemiah 9:1, Nehemiah called the people to gather, fast, and pray, but he knew the outpouring had to lead somewhere deeper. So, first, he required they separate from the foreigners.
Verses 2-3 tell us: “Those of Israelite descent had separated themselves from all foreigners. They stood in their places and confessed their sins and the sins of their ancestors. They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God.”
Both the Asbury leadership and Nehemiah understood what it takes to move from outpouring to true revival. And it’s what will also initiate and sustain a revival in our own lives.
True revival starts with consecration to God. Just as Nehemiah had the Israelites separate from foreigners, we as children of God must live differently than the world around us. When we do, life change begins.
Revival is then sustained through continual obedience. The Israelites had to continually obey what the Lord asked of them through Nehemiah. Obedience must also be our constant response to anything the Lord asks of us.
Finally, revival requires confession of our sins. Just as the Israelites confessed their sin to God, so should we. When we do, 2 Chronicles 7:14 makes us a powerful promise: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
This pattern—consecration, obedience, and confession—is what moves us from outpouring to true revival. It’s what I’m believing for in America: a fourth great awakening that not only ignites hearts but sustains revival fire through transformed lives and lasting legacies. As God promises, when we consecrate ourselves, walk in obedience, and humbly confess our sins, He will forgive us, heal us, and bless our land!
