The bringing back of individuals to life or vigour both at the point of personal regeneration through the work of the Holy Spirit and at other times in believers' lives.
Aspects of individual revival
Physical revival
Isaiah 38:16 See also Judges 15:18–19; 1 Samuel 14:27, 1 Samuel 30:11–12; 1 Kings 19:7–8; Job 33:25; Psalm 41:3, Psalm 116:8–9
O Lord, by such things men live, and in all of them my spirit finds life. You have restored me to health and have let me live.
Revival of hope
Genesis 45:27 See also Ruth 4:14–15
However, when they relayed all that Joseph had told them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob was revived.
Revival of sanity
Daniel 4:26, Daniel 4:34, Daniel 4:36
Spiritual revival
Psalm 23:3 See also 1 Kings 19:9–15; John 21:15–19
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.
The Holy Spirit brings regeneration by giving spiritual life to those dead in sin
Preparation for personal spiritual revival
The Holy Spirit convicts
John 16:8–11; Acts 2:37; 1 Thessalonians 1:5
Individuals appeal to God
Jeremiah 17:14 See also Psalm 51:7–12, Psalm 119:34–37
Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me, and I will be saved, for You are my praise.
Individuals long for God
Psalm 42:1–2 See also Psalm 63:1
For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?
Personal repentance is required
Psalm 51:1–4 See also 2 Chronicles 32:26, 2 Chronicles 33:11–13; Job 22:23; Jeremiah 15:19
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
The believer must take responsibility for personal revival
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
God is active in bringing about personal revival
Isaiah 57:15 See also Psalm 43:3–4; Isaiah 40:31; Haggai 1:14
For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in a high and holy place, and with the oppressed and humble in spirit, to restore the spirit of the lowly and revive the heart of the contrite.
God's law may initiate personal revival
Psalm 19:7 See also Psalm 119:130, Psalm 119:162
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The fruit of personal revival
God receives praise
Psalm 40:3 See also 2 Samuel 22:50 parallel Psalm 18:49; Psalm 51:15, Psalm 59:16, Psalm 61:8
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
God is obeyed
2 Chronicles 33:15–16 See also Acts 2:14 Peter had denied Jesus Christ seven weeks before.
He removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, along with all the altars he had built on the temple mount and in Jerusalem, and he dumped them outside the city. Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it, and he told Judah to serve the LORD, the God of Israel.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.