"Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalms 85:6 NIV)

A number of years ago, I heard a pastor say that he would often meet his parishioners on the street and found them looking gloomy and defeated. He would greet them with the typical, "How are you?" Often they responded, "Okay, under the circumstances." The pastor would then immediately ask them, "What are you doing under there? Don't you know that you have been raised with Christ to live in the heavenly places?"

His probing questions were right on target. The Christian life isn't one full of incredibly wonderful circumstances. It's not an escape from the realities of hurt, pain and sorrow. Rather, the Christian life is one that enables you to live in the circumstances, but not allow them to drag you into the depths of despair. As a victorious Christian, you don't have to live under the circumstances. You can live in them, and yet, you have the ability to rise above them.

I often meet people who really love the Lord. They're genuine children of God. Yet, they're defeated. They've been robbed of the joy that God intended in Christian living. They stand in desperate need of revival in their lives. The Psalmist wrote, "Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?"

The Christian life isn't a hopeless one. God stands ready to revive His people. He's ready to give us victory. Revival and victory are intertwined. Revival is God making Himself known to His people. When God visits His people, the end result is extraordinary rejoicing. It's a time in which His people will rejoice because God has granted them victory. Too many of us have given up hope. But we don't need to. God is still on His throne. He's more than able to revive His people-more than able to revive your heart.

Del Fehsenfeld, Jr. had a burden for revival in America during the 1970s. He attempted to bring the message of revival to churches throughout the country. Although Del passed away several years ago, his ministry continues today. In fact, the work is called Life Action Ministries and is perhaps the largest organization calling for spiritual renewal in America. Mr. Fehsenfeld once said, "As long as God is on His throne, revival is as possible as the sun rising tomorrow morning."

It's true. Revival is possible. Thus, victory in your life is possible. You don't have to live under the circumstances. You can live victoriously in them - no matter how terrible they may seem because God is still on His throne. He's the source of our victory. He's the one who revives the fainthearted. Determine in your heart to seek God today. Ask Him to revive your heart. Set your face towards heaven. He'll revive you and give you victory no matter what the circumstances.