O LORD, REVIVE THY WORKS.

 

O Lord, revive thy work!
Habakkuk 3:2

 
CHRISTIANITY is the work of God.
 
He begins it, he carries it on, and
  he completes it in the day of Christ.
 
It is the work of his own hands which he never forsakes,
  the work which is to reflect the glory of all his divine perfections.
 
But this work often needs reviving.
 
Our graces become weak,
  our evidences decline,
  our spirituality decays, and
  we grow cold, careless, and worldly minded.
 
Then we have no sweet visits,
  no tokens of good,
  no heart affecting fellowship,
  no longings for glory.
 
Our affections fix on some earthly object,
  our conscience becomes benumbed or accuses us,
  our understanding is bedimmed, and
  we sink into an unhealthy state.
 
Our souls cleave to the dust, and
  all we can do is to cry,
        “Quicken me according to thy word.”
 
When the Lord comes to revive his work,
  he often sends some painful cross,
  brings us down into the dust by some affliction,
  makes us see our sins, and smart for our folly.
 
He convinces us, humbles us, empties us, and
  makes us feel thoroughly ashamed of our conduct;
  then he leads us to confessions,
  produces contrition, speak pardon, and
   smiles upon us again.
 
O Lord, revive thy work in me!
 

Lord, from this hour, exert thy power,

To melt my stubborn heart;

O make it bleed, let peace succeed,

And holy joys impart.

 
James Smith 1849