REVIVE US AGAIN

INTRODUCTION

“Lord, your love has poured out so many amazing blessings on our land! You’ve restored Jacob’s destiny from captivity. You have forgiven our many sins and covered every one of them in your love. Pause in his presence. So now it’s obvious that your blazing anger has ended and the furious fire of wrath has been extinguished by your mercy. So bring us back to loving you, God our Savior. Restore our hearts so that we’ll never again feel your anger rise against us. Will you forever hold a grudge? Will your anger endure for all time? Revive us again, O God! I know you will! Give us a fresh start! Then all your people will taste your joy and gladness. Pour out even more of your love on us! Reveal more of your kindness and restore us back to you!” Psalm 85:1-7 

The above psalm was written after the end of the seventy years of captivity when Israel was still walking in their backslidden state, they had turned to idol worshipping and carousing in sin but eventually they cried out to the Lord for mercy and deliverance. They were brought out of captivity, returned to their land but God beckoned unto them to return to Him until their sin of idolatry be purged from their lives. Even now though it seem like we are building more cathedrals and there seem to be more people in the Church but God is looking for those whose heart is pure towards Him and they are serving Him in Truth and in Spirit.

We pose the same question today… O God, will you revive us that we might serve you? Our fervency and fire is gone out will you revive us again? We must cry “fill us with your Holy Spirit again” and cause us to live right with you! Only then will our spiritual fire be set ablaze and we will be ignited again with Holy Ghost fire! We must be set ablaze before we can disciple others and set them ablaze also!

God is looking for a people who will set cities and nations ablaze and will reap a harvest of souls in these last days. God wants men and women who will totally yield themselves, who will let the Holy Spirit do a work on the inside of them and will let the fire purge and cleanse them so that they can be filled with glory and shine like gold. It's time for the church to step up higher, to step into a new dimension of glory, authority and power as there is a fresh inrush of the Holy Spirit who will ignite us with fire and make us to become like the 300 foxes of Samson who went everywhere spreading the gospel fire and causing a reviving of souls, such must be fire brand and witnesses of Jesus Christ by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit [Acts 1:8].

“So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved” Psalm 80:18-19

Revival come from the Latin word “revivere” which means “to live again”. Only a genuine revival will restore our passion to reach the lost and disciple new converts to become disciple-makers. God requires complete transformation, confession and shying away from life of sin and continual maturity in the things of the spirit as we continue in fellowship with one another just like the days of the Apostles in Jerusalem. It is revival that helps us to maintain our doctrines, spiritual standards and for effective soul winning drives.

FIRE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

As a result of God's “eradication of spiritual dirt and pollution” on our inside like raw gold being purified by fire, people are being purged, cleansed and raised up to be used by Him! God wants to raise up men and women that are so consumed by the fire of the Holy Spirit that everywhere they go they will set hearts ablaze! They are just ordinary men and ordinary women, consumed by the fire of God. The Lord will use anyone who will yield themselves; the children, the youth, the elderly. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your background is! He needs you in this great end-time revival! Jeremiah and David were youths but greatly used by God.

“And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out” Lev. 6:12-13

The Christians who are fervent and diligent in spiritual business are on fire for God so that they might be witnesses of Christ and endued with power [Acts 1:8], preaching Christ, make the lame to walk, the blind to see, uproot mountains, lay hand on the sick and give life to the dead. All believers whose fire is burning bright are sent to do ministerial work, it is not meant only for the fivefold ministers to do [Mark 16:16-20], They must be loyal and vigilant, full of the Holy Spirit, meditators of the Word of God, holy and consecrated unto our God.

REPENTANCE FROM DEAD WORKS

There are people whose fire has grown dim and their woods have become ashes but Almighty God is willing and ready to add wood to the fire.  [God heal His wounded soldiers Matt. 12:20]. Elijah was given food and water when burnt out but ready to be revived by the Fire of God [1 Kings 19:1-8]. God is set for a refreshing and a reviving of the fire that dwindled if you will repent and not be like Eli whose fire has gone down but because the gifts of the Holy are still at work, did not know that they are now lukewarm and need a re-firing again and a returning to their first love by repentance, praying, studying, meditating, fasting and fellowshipping with the Lord.

“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” Luke 15:18-24

Revival starts when individually or corporately believers are convinced by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God of sin, judgment and righteousness, they repent or get away from compromised lifestyle to come and serve the true and living God in truth and in spirit and begin to do what is right in the sight of God.

We must obey Ephesians 4:21-32 when we are revived again!

And begin to cry unto God “Restore us again, God Almighty, and make your face to shine; and we shall be saved” Psalm 80:3, 7, 19

 

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL REVIVAL

1.        Christian revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer, local assembly or Church at large. It results in the awakening and conversion of sinners to God and obedience to the laws of God.

2.        It is the arousing, quickening and reclaiming of the backsliders and conversion of sinners. There the fountain of sins are destroyed and sinners are set free from the bondage of sin

3.        It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God’s holiness, a passion for the Word of God and His Church, a convicting awareness of personal and cooperate sin [2 Chron. 7:14].

4.        It is a spirit of humility and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness. Pride goes before a fall. The mind of Christ must be in you to keep revival going. He was obedient to the Father and humble himself as a servant [Phil. 2:5-8]

5.        Revival is to bring back to life, restore to consciousness or a spiritual height from where we had fallen from.  It is when Christians are woken up from their spiritual slumber with deep searching of their souls. Christians are brought under strong conviction and they see their sins in a light such that they repent and vowed not to continue therein.

6.        It is a renewal of spiritual interest and repentance after neglect or fallen into life of sin. Sin is sin! Grace does not cover sin unrepentant of or which you are still exhibiting! [Titus 2:11]

7.        Re-awakening is when we are now conscious of our vileness, depravity, unworthiness, emptiness, deeper sense of our sinfulness and the urgent need for salvation.

It also deepens our faith in God, opens our eyes of understanding to the truth of God’s word in a new and living way. It also marks the beginning of a life lived in obedience to God. Revival goes against powers that be, destroys charms and debase principalities and powers. It also generates the will and power to live in the word of God and live as non-members of the world but become imitators of Christ.

Revival is always initiated by a reawakening through the release of the Holy Spirit and a renewed understanding of fresh revelation and insight to the Word of God. The Holy Spirit draws back the veil of covering and allows us to see beyond the natural as we repent and see ourselves as spirit beings born anew by the Spirit of God. It is unlike the initial conversion experience in that it represents a restoration of fellowship with God and a fresh inrush of the Spirit. Revival helps to restore our first love for Christ which was lost as we wallow in the mud and full of lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and pride of life [Rev. 2:10-11].

 

WHY THE NEED OF REVIVAL

2 Timothy 3:1-7

1.        The love of many are waxing cold

2.        Many are departing from the faith

3.        Many have become lovers of themselves

4.        Men are now covetous and wallowing in sin

5.        Many have become boasters and become proud of their physical achievements

6.        Many have become blasphemers

7.        Many despise those who are good and become evil doers

8.        Many have become lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God

9.        Many have the form of godliness but deny the power thereof [2 Tim. 3:15]. This will apply well to those who have all their religion in their creed, confession of faith, catechism, and religious quotations etc., while impoverished of the life of God in their souls; but deny that such life or power is here to be experienced or known. They have religion in their creed, but none in their hearts. Some deny the ministry of the holy Spirit especially speaking in tongues and working of miracles.

10.     The love of money which is the root of all evil have eaten away the spirituality of many and they have waxed cold

11.      Sexual immorality has pervaded both the ministers and laymen in the Church. It is prevalent in both married and unmarried as fornication and adultery and those who do not flee from it will be caged by demons and in need of deliverance. Imagine all the trauma that that David had to go through after his sexual escapades with Bathsheba while she was married to Uriah.

It is time to CONFESS, REPENT and GET OUT OF SEXUAL VICES like fornication, adultery, masturbation, lesbianism, homosexuality etc.

It is time to awake from our spiritual slumbering and ignite a revival fire to burn off all the chaff. Where there is no wood, the fire will go out. We must clear the ashes which is an evidence that at a time in the past, fire used to burn there and it can be that the inability to keep burning has plunged the person into sinful acts which must be dealt with, purged and repented of before you begin to seek fresh fire.

We must be revived having compromised with the worldly system, and incorporating worldly values into our belief system [Rev. 2:14-16]; and allowing false teachers into our midst [Rev. 2:20-23]. Revival helps us to find the truth again and to get out of beautiful on the outside but like rotten bones on the inside [Rev. 3:1-6] and of course get out of complacency or lukewarm-ness [Rev. 3:11]. Revival often begins with people coming under deep conviction and crying out in confession and repentance for their sins.

Sometimes revival is a series of Christian religious services to reach the lost, broken and hurting people, to cause change of heart in those who has fallen short of the glory of God and convert the unbelievers. Other times it is to decry sin in the local assembly so that those wallowing in sin can repent and do the first works; Holy Ghost releases fresh glory so that many are convicted to repent of their sins.

When you see such repentant men and women the aura or glow of the spirit emanating from them will reveal that these ones are different and bubbling in the Holy Ghost. Such times are when you give less attention to frivolous things that does not build your spirit man like too much television watching, games on the telephone and other unspiritual activities. Your fervency for the things of the spirit become high!

REVIVAL IN THE BOOK OF ACTS

Stephen was chosen alongside Philip and five other deacons to take care of the need of the Hellenist women [Acts 6:1-4], but he was overflowing with the Holy Ghost to the point that he preached Christ from Abraham to that present day and his face shine forth the glory of God like Moses.

“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city” Act 8:5-8

 In Acts 8, Philip preached Christ in Samaria and there was spectacular miracles signs and wonders that the Apostles in Jerusalem had to come down to help sustain the revival in that city. He was led to the road to Gaza later on where he ministered to the Ethiopian Eunuch who after hearing the gospel was baptized and Philip was later found at Azotus doing great and mighty works for the Lord.

“The Ethiopian stopped his chariot, and they went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, Philip was suddenly snatched up by the Spirit of the Lord and instantly carried away to the city of Ashdod, where he reappeared, preaching the gospel in that city. The man never saw Philip again. He returned to Ethiopia full of great joy. Philip, however, traveled on to all of the towns of that region, bringing them the good news, until he arrived at Caesarea” Act 8:38-40

Revival, renewal, recovery or restoration re-ignites the fire of the Holy Spirit in us, which will in turn influence the work we do for God. This is the result of a genuine Holy Spirit revival. Many of us must admit we have lost our love and passion for God. We have lost our passion for prayer; we have lost our passion for holiness, and our passion for the word of God. So, we need a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit. Revival starts when our love for God is rekindled. It is the restoration of God’s Presence to His people. Such are times when we do those things that are pleasing unto the Lord.

If we must be sincere, many of us have fallen victims to many environmental and social ills. We have been bruised and battered by life challenges, compromised our faith in God and would therefore need to be revived and refreshed by the Holy Spirit. We were washed and cleansed but we went back like pig into the mud and must be washed by the cleansing by the word of God [Ephesians 5:26]. We did fall away into sin of back biting, malice, bitterness, lies, offenses, cheating such little foxes that spoils the wine and ruin the impeccable relationship that we used to have with God.

How do you re-ignite fire?

It is simply by striking a match. The Holy Spirit needs to quicken us afresh in our inner being. Sin extinguishes our spiritual fervor and love for God. But the Holy Spirit restores and revitalizes us by releasing the fire that burns away every chaff of sin in us if we let Him.

To appreciate what it means to re-ignite or re-fire, let us consider the synonyms of this word. The synonyms for re-ignite are to rekindle, revive, quicken, rejuvenate, revitalize, restart, resurrect, kick-start, jumpstart, etc. Our spiritual battery is dead and we need the energy of the Holy Spirit to jump start our battery so that we can be full of spiritual energy once again.

The Psalmist said, “Will you not revive again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” [Psalm 85:6]. This means we had lost his spark and needed the Holy Spirit to revive us. Our spiritual fire need to be rekindled by fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit on our heart.

God re-ignites us in two ways: through His word and through His Holy Spirit. He re-ignites not our body, but our spirits. In Habakkuk 3:2, the prophet introduces a slight difference to the word “revive.” This time he did not pray, “Revive me” but “revive your work!” God revives us first, and in turn, it affects the work we do for Him.

What do we want God to re-ignite?

First, our spirits (Prov.20: 27). A lukewarm and broken spirit cannot do much for God. Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” This seems to suggest that the fire of God can touch our whole being. Your body must be re-consecrated as fleshy or carnal works are let go and your mind is renewed through the word of God. You must dwell permanently in the secret place of the Most High, staying continually in God’s Presence upon Mount Zion [Obadiah 1:17]

Second, we want God to rekindle the love we have for Him. God said to the Church at Ephesus, “Nevertheless, I have this against you: that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent” (Revelation 2: 4-5 NKJV).

Third, we must desire God to rekindle our love and hunger for His word (Psalm 119:25). God needs to restore our hunger to read and study His word.

Fourth, God needs to revive the passion we have for His work or for service (Romans 12:11). We must serve God enthusiastically. Ushers must show forth the joy of the Lord and have the glow of Christ likeness comforting the people with a smiling face before the word preached can convict them of sin.

Fifth, God needs to re-ignite our passion for holiness and purity (Psalm 15; 24). Holiness is a precondition for seeing God. Without holiness, no man shall see the Lord [Heb. 11:6]

Six, our desire to know His ways must be rekindled (Psalm 25: 8, 9, 14). Like Moses we must know God’s ways and not His acts or spectacular miraculous works!

Seven, one key area God must ignite is our prayer life. We must rediscover our passion for His presence. Previously, we could spend hours in His presence, but now we hardly enjoy His presence.

The desire to be re-ignited could be initiated by God or by us. A good example of a man whom the Lord re-Ignited is Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1-8).

“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged” Isa. 6:1-7

We must cry to the Lord like Isaiah after seeing that we are no more holy but wallowing in sin and ask God to create in us a clean heart and renew a steadfast spirit within us [Psalms 51], God is forever ready to cleanse us and restore us to fellowship with Him. Isaiah cried and the Lord forgave him and even sent him on spiritual errand [Isa 6]. God is set to revive us again that we His people may rejoice in God [Psalm 85:6]. God will restore our soul, He will lead us in the path of righteousness, for his name’s sake [Psalm 23:3]

God’s desire is to ignite you with a fresh oil for fresh impact, so that you may be a conduit or channel for igniting others. Be a fire carrier. May the fire of the Holy Spirit in you affect others and convict them to repent.

Revival is not a charismatic, hyper spiritual mode please. It is the showering of God’s Presence upon God’s people who are desperately hungry for more of God and tired of the stagnated and mirage Church. It is there that we see enlightened and proper teaching of God’s word, proper explanation of God’s word like in the days of Nehemiah; confession of sin and repentance [Nehemiah 9:1-37]; it is qualitative in nature where we find people who are have been revived in their conscience concerning the merciful works of God and His will to save, heal and deliver. It is progressive from one level of glory to another and not static.

God releases higher potency of spiritual tides wherever He finds people who are willing in the days of His power to practice more and more of the Christian life as they meditate on God’s word and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Do not quench the Spirit, keep the fire burning.

REPAIR YOUR ALTAR

1 kings 18:1-41

Altars are places of consecration to present our bodies as living sacrifice, renew our minds and a place of staying in prayers before God until fire falls. Continually meditate on the Word of God in your heart so that you can prosper spiritually. Our bodies are rededicated and given over to God as a living sacrifice on the altar

 

KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS

“Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it” Jer. 1:4-12

Do not say like Jeremiah that you are a youth and do not have what it takes to be on fire for God. The indwelling power house of God called the Holy Spirit has anointed you with the power of the Holy Spirit and God has put His words in your mouth. These two twin towers [Holy Spirit and the Word of God]  in you will root out, pull down, destroy and throw down principalities and powers while it will also build and plant the power house in you and through you He will preach, teach, heal and demonstrate the unction to function. By the ministry of the Holy Spirit you will see or have great understanding of the vision of God and God will hasten His Word to perform it.

Benefits of Revival

1.        Lost people can be saved

2.        Fervent prayers can yield to forgiveness and release of new health or vigor.

3.        Revival involves growth both personal and numerical

4.        Believers can be sanctified or make holy

5.        Individual Christians can be renewed through God’s saving grace

6.        Revival bring the peace of God

7.        Revival brings more of God’s Glory in our land

8.        Those who have strayed can be returned to the Lord

9.        The Church can be awakened from apathy and stagnation

10.      Families can be healed in their relationship

11.      Church unity can improve and release of God’s favor

12.      Leaders can make new commitments

13.      Church finances can improve

14.      Psalm 85:10-11 Release of mercy and Grace; Righteousness, truth and peace;

15.      Miraculous power and healing grace released to do supernatural acts of God in the life of the people

 

HEAVEN ON EARTH

“Oh that thou would rend the heavens, that thou would come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence, As when the melting fire burn, the fire cause the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, you came down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence” Isa 64:3

The fire of God seized on and liquefied spiritual hills, so that they no longer opposed his march to turn this earth realm into the kingdom of our God; and the mountains before him became a plain.

“The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth” Psalm 97:5 

The Holy Spirit is the power house of God and there is nothing that can stand against its advancing the kingdom of God on earth. It acts like molten lava of a volcano erupting like liquid fire and destroying all things in its path of flow.

 

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF THE FIRE

The refining fire

The refining fire comes to burn away excesses in the believer’s life and remold the life constantly. This is the fire that fashions our character and ministry for God’s glory to be revealed in us.

The consuming fire

The consuming fire protects the believer from evil and the evil one: Satan. You do not touch a man burning with fire without planning to be caught up in the fire. When the scriptures says, ‘Touch not my anointed’, this is what it means that touching the anointed in a manner to hurt the anointed will eventually destroy the attacker.

The baptism of fire with the Holy Spirit confers upon the baptized the authority of inviting the person of the Holy Spirit and such a person can command fire – he becomes a son of manifestations and evidence. When Peter and John met the lame man at the temple gate in Acts 3, they quickly told the man to look at them…

“And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him, with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God’ Act 3:3-8 

 

HOW TO KEEP THE FIRE – Luke 9:57-62

1. HEAVEN MUST BE YOUR HOPE AND MOTIVATION

Our motivation as believers should not be amongst men or earthly knowing that our place is in the Lord – Luke 9:58 ‘And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head’. John Wesley said this about his Christian commitment, ‘Leisure and I have parted ways and we will never meet again’. Being earthly minded is a great weight that God demands that we must drop for us to be used mightily by God.

2. SERVE THE LORD WITH GREAT PASSION

When we stop serving the Lord, we automatically withdraw our relevance in God’s kingdom. Luke 9:60 ‘But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God’. Jesus Christ was not against mourning or caring for those who are mourning but he pointed out to something important. He is most interested in those who take His work first and other things to be secondary. We do not have to allow the Kingdom work to suffer because of the cares of this world. The anointing remains on that person who has taken the place of servant till eternity.

3. KEEP GOING FORWARD

Have you considered or tried driving forward while looking backwards? Let nothing make you look backwards. God keeps walking forward and it is our duty to follow His footprints – steps. He does not want us to remain at the past mistakes and over celebrate the past glory, ‘the glory of the latter house is always greater than the former’ – this should be our mindset in the ministry that God has given us. Luke 9:62 ‘But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.’ It is not the will of God for us to be spiritual pillars of salt – just like Lot’s wife.

4. Be fervent in the Spirit, keep the Holy Spirit fire aglow; continue to read, study, meditate and be a doer of the word of God. Continue to mortify the deeds of the flesh. Obey and serve God diligently

HOW TO RECEIVE

Simply, it comes with a heart cry to God for fire. An encounter with the Holy Spirit can make you the best in the hands of God. Desire and put it in passionate prayers. An encounter happened with Saul of Tarsus and from that day, He became a mighty man of exploits for God. Go and seek God’s face today.

PRAYER FOR REVIVAL

“Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease. Wilt thou be angry with us forever? Wilt thou draw out thine anger to all generations? Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Show us thy mercy, O LORD, and grant us thy salvation” Psalm 85:4-7