As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

   - 2 Corinthians 7.9

Give to this wretched convicted sinner the grace of compunction of heart, and earnest repentance, that I may weep bitterly for every outrage, every contempt, and every provocation, that I have offered to the King of heaven and earth.

   - Litany of the Saviour, Irish, 14th century

Grieving and weeping for sin are necessary preconditions for revival, whether in our individual hearts, our churches, or our generation. 

Paul was willing for the Corinthians to be brought to such a condition, for their sin had greatly offended against the dignity and honor of God. Indeed, he rejoiced at their weeping, for it indicated to him that they understood the severity of their offense and truly wished to make things right with God.

Grieving and weeping for sin are not much in fashion today. We want a faith that gives us comfort, not distress, affirmation, not judgment, peace, not turmoil.

But the road of sanctification wends through many dark nights of the soul, for we remain wretched sinners in spite of our having been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Revival is the great need our day. We need a fresh upwelling of the Spirit of God, filling, transforming, and leading us to reach out to our generation with greater consistency and boldness. Revival leads to renewal and mission, and mission can lead to awakening, in which large numbers of the unconverted recognize their need for Christ and come willingly to Him.

But there will be no revival, no renewing of our mission, and no awakening until the followers of Christ first recognize the outrages, contempt, and provocations we are guilty of before the King of heaven and earth. We have forsaken ancient paths, compromised with worldly ways, neglected our witness for Christ, and exchanged a gospel of forgiveness and peace for the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Yet for all this, we see no reason for grieving and weeping before the Lord.

Pray that the Spirit of God, the Spirit of deep conviction (Jn. 16.8-11), will penetrate the hardness of our hearts and enable us to see how great are our offenses against Him Who shed His blood that we might be free, pure, holy, righteous, and good. Pray for Godly grief to settle on the people of God, that we may know revival in our day.

Psalm 80.4-7 (St. Theodulph: “All Glory, Laud, and Honor”)
How long will You ignore all Your people’s fervent prayer?
Shall bitter tears fall ever? O Lord, renew Your care!
Our neighbors mock and scorn us, they laugh at our distress;
Renew, O Lord, and turn us, look down on us and bless!