RUN LIKE A CHAMPION

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. (Psalms 42:1 NIV)
Many years ago, I was interviewed on a Christian radio program and asked the question, “What’s the greatest difference in the church in Romania and the church in America?” There were many differences at that time. Those were the dark days of communism and the evil dictator, Nicolae Ceaucescu. Christians were persecuted. People lost their jobs because of their faith. Some even went to prison because of their love for the Savior. It was extremely difficult. Ceaucescu’s agents once discovered a load of Bibles coming into the country, and he had the Bibles turned into toilet paper.
But there weren’t just spiritual difficulties. There were also many physical problems facing the people. Many had to stand in line for hours to try to get bread. Often there was none to be purchased. There was very little meat in the country. Yet, in the midst of all these difficulties, most churches didn’t have room for the people who were attending their services. Christians came early to the worship services to pray and seek God. It was an extraordinary time for God’s people.
So, how did I answer the question? I pondered all of the differences between the American church and the Romanian church and came to one conclusion. The greatest difference in the two groups of people wasn’t the beautiful church facilities of the Americans and the lack of nice sanctuaries among the Romanians. It wasn’t even the lack of persecution among American believers and the severe persecution of Romanian Christians. The greatest difference between the Romanian church and the American church in those days was simply this. Romanian believers were a needy people and they knew it. American Christians were a needy people. We just didn’t know it.
Romanian believers knew they needed God. They were desperate for Him. He was their only hope. They didn’t have Christian bookstores or Christian radio and television. But they had something that Christians in the West desperately need. They had hearts that were seeking after God. They had a longing to know Him and obey Him. They longed to do His will. They were like the deer who longed for streams of water. In short, they were desperate. It was their desperation that caused them to completely trust in God.
Such desperation caused them to turn to God. He heard them and answered their prayers. God is looking for such hearts. I’m convinced that many Christians have never found victory over ungodly habits because they’re not desperately searching for that victory. Revival hasn’t come to many churches because they’re comfortable in their apathy. Often, I’ve found many believers know that things aren’t as they should be. But they haven’t reached the place of desperation.
It’s in the place of desperation that we begin to seek God with our whole hearts. When we seek Him in such a way, we will find Him. The prophet Hosea said, “Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12 NIV). That’s revival. That’s victory. It’s God renewing His people. It’s God showering His love and mercy upon us. Are you desperate for His mercy and grace? If so, your heart will be revived.