One night in Shantung, China, missionary C. L. Culpepper’s prayers felt like stone, prompting him to ask, “Lord, what is the matter?” Opening his Bible to Romans 2:17-24, he read, “[You] make your boast in God, and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent.… You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself?” Culpepper later said, “The Holy Spirit used these verses like a sword to cut deeply into my heart. He said, ‘You are a hypocrite!.… What have you really done for Christ?’” The next morning, Culpepper told other missionaries and pastors that his heart was broken, confessing to pride and powerlessness. One after another, others tearfully confessed wrong feelings toward one another. From that meeting, a movement of the Holy Spirit, now called The Shantung Revival of 1930-1933, spread throughout the area, inflaming evangelism and missions for years.
Revival comes when we are read, with tender hearts and humble spirits. While God’s work is to orchestrate widespread, far-reaching revivals, we can make sure our hearts are constantly prepared for what He wants to do with and through us. We should make ourselves ready this instant. Luke 7:4 says, “And when they came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly” (KJV, emphasis added). The apostle Paul was described as “instantly serving God day and night” (Acts 26:7, KJV, emphasis added).
During the American Revolution, some colonists organized themselves into militia units that could mobilize quickly. Known as Minutemen, they didn’t need time to find their muskets or powder—everything was kept in readiness. We should be God’s minutemen, ready instantly for God to use us.
Being ready in an instant also means we’re prepared to move quickly to meet a need. When Paul wrote Titus about organizing the churches of Crete, he said: “Remind them to be…ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1, emphasis added). Paul himself lived in a state of readiness. When his friends tried to dissuade him from going to Jerusalem at the end of his third missionary tour, he said, “I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13, NIV, emphasis added). While we can’t give to every cause, meet every need, or accept every opportunity, we should be willing, ready, and waiting to do whatever the Lord impresses on our hearts. God revives those who are ready to obey Him instantly. Isaiah 57:15 says, “I dwell…with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
We must also be ready with our knowledge of Scriptures. When we devote ourselves to biblical study, we’re pouring gasoline into the engines of our souls. The spark of the Holy Spirit hits the gasoline of Scripture and ignites flames of revival. Psalm 119:107 says, “I am afflicted very much; revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.”
A spirit of revival also makes us ready to answer those who ask about Christ. Peter wrote, “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). When we live in perpetual readiness for opportunities to share Christ, we find they come regularly.
One catalyst for the Shantung Revival was a Norwegian missionary, Marie Monsen. While traveling, pirates seized her ship, holding her captive 23 days.
Marie went through a series of terrifying ordeals, but not one hair on her head was harmed. She stood on the promises of God, refusing to obey the pirates’ orders, declining to eat stolen food, and ministering with grace to the two hundred passengers and fifty robbers, including a two-hour Gospel presentation to the pirate chief. Because of people like Marie—who were ready to be called upon, ready to take action when needed, ready with knowledge of Scripture, ready, available, and willing—revival came to China.
Let’s be God’s minutemen and trust Him to use us. Assume He has work for you today and believe He will use you for His glory. You can become part of His revival. Be ready at every instant to do His bidding and to serve Him.
David Jeremiah is the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church and the founder and host of Turning Point for God. For more information about Dr. Jeremiah or Turning Point, visit www.DavidJeremiah.org.
