June is the 6th month. It’s hard to believe it, but we’re almost halfway through 2005. We are nearing the middle of the year. Schools are ending, summer is starting, temperatures are rising, and vacations are coming. Many are hoping to slow the pace and relax a bit during the summer months. We all need relaxation, rejuvenation and recreation, but we need to beware of our human tendency to "take our eye off the ball" and make unnecessary ‘miscues in the middle’ of something important. We’ve all heard of the "middle-child syndrome", mid-season slumps and having a mid-life crisis. Yes, costly mistakes can be made in our parenting, marriage relationship and spiritual journey when we cave in to our human propensity to carelessness or coasting "in the midst of the years".

It was happening with alarming regularity and with disastrous results in the nation of Israel during the ministry of the prophet Habakkuk. He bemoaned a society that was characterized by growing accustomed to violence, routine strife and contention, a powerless justice system and a proliferation of wickedness (Hab. 1:1-4). As a nation, Israel had coasted through a season of spiritual malaise, ignored prophetic warnings and was careening toward a catastrophic defeat and takeover of the Babylonians. The people yawned at his preaching and warnings, so Habakkuk did something else that was very important, he prayed. He prayed for three things in Chapter 3, verses 1-2, from which you and I can learn in order to avoid our own spiritual catastrophe.

1) "Lord, Revive Your Ministry" - Habakkuk prayed, "O Lord, revive your work in the midst of the years". Revival means to resuscitate to life again, as illustrated by what a lifeguard does in saving a drowning person through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Israel needed CPR, and the prophet earnestly prayed God would intervene before it was too late. Are we perceptive enough to admit that our families, marriages and churches need immediate divine intervention? Are we humble enough to cry out to the Lord in fervent prayer for His help, salvation and deliverance? We’ve lost too many of our children, marriages and churches to spiritual drowning in the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. The Devil is seeking whom he may devour. The world is alluring and the flesh is weak. Let’s get back to our knees and pray, "Lord, deliver us!" "Revive your work, your ministry, your church, your people!"

2) "Lord, Reveal Your Majesty" - Habakkuk prayed, "Lord, in the midst of the years, make it known". He knew God was the great and awesome creator of all things, the supreme Being of the universe. And so he pleaded with God to reveal His mighty and sovereign power to His backsliding people, and to a world that had no knowledge or desire for Him. I feel the same way Habakkuk did. I often pray, "O Lord, please show yourself strong on behalf of your great name. Let people know there is still a God in Heaven who needs to be obeyed, loved and served".

3) "Lord, Remember Your Mercy" - Habakkuk wanted God to reveal His mighty power so that people would repent , but he pleaded with God to have mercy, otherwise many would be destroyed in receiving what they justly deserve from a holy God. I often pray, "Lord, do whatever it takes, but please do it by your mercy and grace." I know better than to ask God for what I deserve, I plead for His mercy and you should too.

So as summer begins, enjoy this wonderful season, but don’t grow spiritually cold or careless. Avoid the tendency we all have to coast toward a personal or spiritual catastrophe. Keep seeking, or start seeking after God. By His grace we can have "Revival in the Midst of the Years".