EXCERPT:
FASTING, AND THE GREAT REVIVALS OF SCRIPTURE
"During Samuel's early days, the Bible says in the King James Version, "The Word of God was precious in those days" (1 Sam. 3:1). But the word "precious" meant "rare" when the King James Version was translated. The verse actually means, "In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions" (NIV).
But when Samuel came to minister to Israel, he brought the Word of God to them. He was both judge and prophet, and one of the duties of the prophet was to interpret God's will to the people and to give them God's Word. Samuel was a prophet who was faithful to his calling as he ministered the Word to Israel. As a result, God sent revival.
As you enter the Samuel Fast, spend time studying the great revivals of Scripture, which show clearly the power of the Word of God.
• Under Jacob.
On the return to Bethel, Jacob ordered his entire household to put away their false gods and to wash and change their garments. They did this as Jacob built an altar to the true God. The false gods were then buried under an oak in Shechem (see Gen. 35:1-4).
• Under Samuel.
In response to the exhortation of Samuel, based on God's Word, the people put away their false gods and prepared their hearts to serve the only true God (see 1 Sam. 7:3-6).
• Under Moses.
Revival occurred when complaining Israel saw the mighty hand of God in the parting of the Red Sea. On the safe (eastern) side of the sea, Moses led the people in a song of praise, while Miriam and the women furnished the special music
(see Exod. 14:31-15:21).
• Under David.
(a) When the Ark of the Covenant was brought into Jerusalem for the first time (see 1 Chron. 15:25-28; 16:1- 43; 29:10-25).
(b) At the dedication of the materials to be used in building the future Temple (see 1 Chron. 29).
• Under Solomon.
This occurred at the actual dedication of the temple
(see 1 Kings 6-8).
• Under Asa.
King Asa removed the Sodomites and all false idols out of the land. He even deposed his own grandmother because of her idolatry
(see 1 Kings 15:11-15).
• Under Jehoshaphat.
The king led a revival when he ordered the cleansing of the Temple and the sanctification of the Levitical priests-all based on the Word of the Lord (see 2 Chron. 19).
• Under Elijah.
This took place after the contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (see 1 Kings 18:21-40).
• Under Jehu.
He exterminated all Baal worshipers and their temples
(see 2 Kings 10:15-28).
• Under Jehoiada. This godly high priest led the people in a covenant whereby they forsook their idols and worshiped God
(see 2 Kings 11:17-20).
• Under Hezekiah.
Like Jehoshaphat, King Hezekiah and God's people experienced revival when he cleansed the Temple of God (see 2 Chron. 29-31).
• Under Manasseh.
When wicked King Manasseh became converted, he led his people in a revival by ordering the destruction of all idols
(see 2 Chron. 33:11-20).
• Under Josiah.
This revival began when the Book of the Law was accidentally discovered during a Temple cleanup event. The public reading of God's Word had a profound effect upon both King Josiah and his people (see 2 Kings 22-23).
• Under Ezra.
Through Ezra's preaching, God wanted His people to be separate from the pagans surrounding them, so the Jewish remnant ceased their ungodly marriage alliances with the heathen of the land
(see Ezra 9-10).
• Under Nehemiah.
After Nehemiah had rebuilt the walls around Jerusalem, Ezra stood by its gates and publicly read and taught from God's Word, causing a great revival (see Neh. 13).
• Under Jonah.
The Ninevites, through Jonah's preaching of God's Word, repented and stayed the destructive hand of God (see Jonah 3).
• Under Esther.
This time of repentance and rejoicing followed the salvation of the Jews from the plot of wicked Haman (see Esther 9:17-22).
• Under John the Baptist.
John preached the imminent appearance of Israel's Messiah, warning the people to repent and submit to water baptism
(see Luke 3:2-18).
• Under Jesus.
The conversion of a sinful Samaritan woman instigated this revival in Samaria (see John 4:28-42).
• Under Philip.
The strong preaching of Philip the evangelist concerning the Kingdom of God produced a great revival in Samaria
(see Acts 8:5-12).
• Under Peter.
(a) At Pentecost, after his great sermon (see Acts 2).
(b) At Lydda, after he had healed Aeneas (see Acts 9).
• Under Paul.
One of the greatest revivals occurred in Ephesus during Paul's third missionary journey. This account should be carefully read (Acts 19:11-20)."
Excerpt by Elmer L. Towns. Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough: A Guide to Nine Biblical Fasts
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