This podcast is a repost, originally published on June 19, 2017.

Series: John the Baptist, the Revival

John the Baptist represented revival in his generation during a time when the spiritual womb of Israel was barren and there were no dreams or revelations from God. After a gap of 400 years, John the Baptist was the first person God spoke to and used.

John the Baptist brought hope and reaffirmation from God to the nation of Israel. The Bible says his very birth will bring joy and gladness.

Many times we take the joy of God for granted and don’t walk in it. The reason joy and gladness is mentioned here is because revival is often preceded by a period of weeping and waiting on God for an answer. We can compare this to the season of being in labor that precedes the joy of the birth of a child.

When we wait in prayer and depend on the Holy Spirit, fasting and sacrificing the desires of the flesh, we are going through a season of wailing and being broken. When we do that, God is setting us up for great joy and gladness. – At the very coming of this revival movement your life will be overwhelmed with joy and gladness.

The Bible says Jesus patiently endured the cross because the destination He saw when He was on the cross was one of joy.

No matter what pain or sacrifice you are going through now to see revival in your city or nation, when it comes, it will bring you so much joy that it will make all your past sorrows worth it.

May God prepare your heart in expectation for great joy, gladness and rejoicing.