What I Saw and Didn't See at Asbury

The idea had been building in my head for several days. I have been fascinated with the history of past revivals around the world for many years. I had seen the posts circulating on social media and was curious. After figuring out that it was only four and a half hours away, I couldn't shake the idea of checking it out for myself. Sometimes secondhand information is not good enough. An uncharacteristically hasty plan was devised. I would depart late Friday night and arrive in the middle of the night. I saw the huge lines and thought it would be best to arrive when the crowds would be smaller. I could check it out and be back home for other responsibilities with no loss other than some gas money and a lost night of sleep. After addressing a convincing plan to a somewhat bewildered wife, I was on the road.

I spent the time on the road listening to sermons describing revivals from the past. J. Edwin Orr and Leonard Ravenhill are my favorites. Their descriptions of past revivals include the following characteristics:

• An overarching repentance and conviction of sin

• A change in the moral climate of the of the community

• Conversion of the lost

• A restoration between believers

• A deep sense of holiness and reverence for God

One of my favorite stories goes back to the Welsh Revival of 1904 to 1905. Mining operations slowed down because coal miners stopped cursing and the horses couldn’t understand their new language. When God starts to move in a mighty way, the changes are significant.

With great expectation I arrived at about one in the morning. After parking and hurrying up to the entrance I was stopped by security. I was told that they were not letting in anyone after 1:00 am and the meetings were going to end by 2:00 am. I looked at my watch...1:04. I explained that I had just driven 4 and a half hours, but to no avail. I was told I could come back at 1:00 pm the next day. What about the around the clock meetings I had seen all over the news? They said there was a small room that students were able to continue praying, but it was not open to the public. I rallied and walked through the small town to the various churches that were having overflow meetings, but they were either dark or getting ready to close. I admittedly was disappointed.

I decided to observe all I could. I watched the people leaving the meeting. All I saw leave the main meeting were joyful people laughing as they left. I tried to see if I could sense any special presence of God in the area as many online had but felt nothing out of the ordinary. For the hour that I walked around, I heard full resonance of a united crowd singing heartily with joy. There was no break in the music for the hour I was there. I saw the chapel speaker and security relieved to have completed another night as they packed up for the night. I saw over 60 others hurrying up to the door with anticipation only to be turned away by a locked door or police officer. I saw some of those turned away, sneak in the exit as others were leaving. Others started to pray or read Scripture as they wandered around the lit grounds. My favorite was a Hispanic family of five closely resembling my own. Despite being turned away, I could hear the father excitedly describing, in Spanish, the love of God in his heart to his expectant family. Eventually, I returned to my car and drove home.

What did it all mean? After several days, I'm still not completely sure. I honestly did not experience much of what I have seen on social media. I would not say I saw the characteristics that describe "revivals" from the past. I have seen many opinions claiming that God does not work in the same way. I would be extremely hesitant to concede that fact. I can only speak to what I saw. Does what I saw in the middle of the night for a short period of time negate everything else going around? Absolutely not. Only time can tell for sure.

I think I can speak to one major takeaway. I saw one major thing that was extraordinary. Spiritual hunger. It is difficult to keep people in church past 11:30 in today's churches. There are countdown clocks, so services are down to the minute. As a guest church speaker, I know that the surest way to never be asked back to a church is to speak longer than your allotted 5-10 minute time slot. In a time of declining spiritual interest and moral decay I saw and heard all ages and types singing with power at 1:00 in the morning. I saw and heard individuals that had driven hours to investigate and experience some small part in what God may be doing. In an era where people exhibit road rage when someone does not move within .2 seconds after a light turns green, I saw people graciously accept being turned away and resort to prayer. I saw people praying in an age where the prayer meeting has been completely eliminated. The ancient concept of travailing in prayer is unknown to this generation, yet I saw fervent prayer in action.

I believe the moral of the story is there are a lot of people out there hungry and expectant for God to work. I believe while there may be a steep decline in the statistics, there is a strong remnant who are getting stronger. I believe they will not be deterred from seeking the Lord and being faithful in these difficult times. I believe that we are not limited to see God work. We are only limited by our own lack of belief and travail. Be encouraged. We are not alone. Get on your knees. Look for those around you that are seeking God. Expect God to work mightily.