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The church today is facing a crisis. It’s not primarily about dwindling numbers or financial struggles, although many congregations experience those challenges. The real crisis is spiritual. Despite all the resources, programs, and knowledge available, there’s a noticeable lack of passion and devotion, and, most significantly, a lack of God’s presence. We’ve become so busy doing things for God that we’ve neglected the heart of true worship—being with God.

We tend to rely on strategies, events, and even buildings, thinking that success will come through these means. But the truth is, without God’s presence, all of our efforts are empty. The heart of the problem lies in our attempt to do God’s work on our own terms, rather than in His power and presence.

This is not a new issue. In Exodus 33:1-11, we see the Israelites in a similar situation. Although they had experienced incredible blessings from God—freedom from slavery, miraculous provisions, and the promise of a new land—they drifted away from Him. Like us, they turned to their own ways, which led to spiritual decline. Their story mirrors the crisis in today’s church, but it also offers us hope and a way back to God.

A Picture of Spiritual Decline

The Israelites had witnessed God’s power in extraordinary ways. They had seen the plagues in Egypt, walked through the parted Red Sea, and been fed with manna from heaven. Yet, despite all these blessings, they quickly turned away from God. When Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments, the people grew impatient. Instead of waiting for God, they built a golden calf to worship, replacing the living God with a lifeless idol.

This reflects what often happens in our own lives. Like the Israelites, we can become impatient, fearful, and distracted. We may not build physical idols, but we create idols in our hearts—things like self-reliance, success, and even busyness that take the place of God. We rely on our own plans, achievements, and strategies, forgetting that what we truly need is God's presence.

When God told the Israelites that He would no longer go with them, they were devastated. They realized that without His presence, nothing else mattered. We too must face the reality that, without God, all our efforts are meaningless. Revival begins when we recognize our need for God above everything else.

Facing the Reality of Our Sin

In Exodus 33:1-3, God instructs Moses to lead the people to the Promised Land but makes a shocking statement: “I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people.” This metaphor of being "stiff-necked" describes their stubborn refusal to obey God. Although they were promised the land, it meant nothing without God’s presence.

The people responded by mourning, realizing that gaining the world meant nothing if they lost God. This is where revival starts—by facing the reality of our sin. Sin separates us from God, whether it’s blatant idolatry or subtle distractions. If we want revival, we must recognize the ways we’ve allowed other things to take God's place in our hearts.

In today’s church, our idols may look different from the Israelites’ golden calf, but they still lead us away from God. Self-reliance, pride, entertainment, and even an overemphasis on religious activity can take God’s place. These idols push Him out of the center of our lives. If we truly desire revival, we must confront these things, strip them away, and return to God.

Repentance: The Path Back to God

The Israelites’ response was to remove their ornaments, symbols of their pride and self-reliance, as a sign of humility and repentance (Exodus 33:4-6). They acknowledged that nothing—no blessing or outward success—was worth more than God’s presence.

True repentance is not just about feeling guilty; it’s about turning away from sin and turning back to God. It’s a heart-level change where we strip away anything that hinders our relationship with Him. We need to ask ourselves today: What are the “ornaments” in our lives that need to be removed? What are the things we rely on instead of God?

Revival is not about doing more—it’s about seeking God more. It requires humbling ourselves, confessing our sins, and asking God to fill us once again with His presence.

The Role of a Mediator

In Exodus 33:7-11, Moses met with God in the tent of meeting, interceding on behalf of the people. He was their mediator, standing between them and God. Today, we have an even greater Mediator—Jesus Christ. He not only intercedes for us but brings us into God’s presence.

The story of the Israelites points us to the good news of the Gospel: Even though we have sinned and turned away, God has not abandoned us. He has provided a way back to Himself through Jesus. Jesus’ death and resurrection open the door for us to be reconciled to God, to experience His presence, and to be filled with His Spirit.

Through Jesus, we can experience true revival—not just a temporary emotional high, but a deep and lasting renewal of our hearts and lives. Jesus is the One who brings us back into God’s presence, and the Gospel is the foundation of revival.

Conclusion

What is our response today? Are we willing to face the reality of our sin, strip away the idols in our lives, and seek God’s presence above all else? Revival begins with us—both individually and as a church—when we humble ourselves, repent, and turn back to God through Jesus Christ.

The good news is that God is ready to meet us. He is ready to fill us with His presence, to revive our hearts, and to lead us forward in His power. But we must be willing to seek Him, to desire Him above everything else, and to trust in Jesus as our Mediator.