In the Old Testament, we find the story of Ezra and a large group of Israelites who returned to Jerusalem to reestablish the temple and the worship of God. In the midst of this incredible effort, Ezra prays a powerful prayer, as recorded in Ezra 9:8,
"And now for a little while grace has been shown from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage."
Ezra prays that their eyes would be enlightened spiritually. It is reminiscent of Paul's prayer in Ephesians 1, when he prayed that the eyes of the Ephesians would be enlightened, spiritually opened.
One vital sign of the need for revival is when we are spiritually dull and insensitive to God's promptings, and the Holy Spirit's direction and creativity.
Perhaps you can remember something creative that once operated in your life, but sadly, it has waned. It has declined. It has gone dormant.
It shouldn't be that way! The Holy Spirit wants to prompt you and guide you and give you knowledge and creativity. But when you are living in a spiritual fog, and you have become accustomed to living in that fog, you can be assured you have become spiritually dull.
That is when you need to be revived. And when you are, there is an enlightening of the eyes. There is a renewed sense and an awareness of the prompting, and the wooing, and the guiding of God's Spirit. That is what comes with revival.
When you are spiritually revived, you will be sensitive to God's Spirit, and you will gain from Him supernatural insight and enlightenment.
~Bayless Conley~
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