Spiritual CPR

Psalm 85:6 “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?”

For anyone that’s ever had to do CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on someone, the event can be quite traumatic. The idea of working on a person that is potentially dying before your eyes can be an overwhelming moment. In my 25 years in the Cardiac Cath lab I’ve only had one person I’ve known personally that required me to perform CPR on them. I have sympathy for those who have had to keep a loved one alive, the moment not only carries with it the urgency of your next move but also the emotional experience of seeing someone you love in a state of despair.

We place so much emphasis on keeping people alive we often forget there is a much greater level of urgency that is required.

Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.”

The body dies and the spirit moves on. For those who have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, their spirit ascends into God’s presence after their body dies where there awaits their Savior. Gone before us are the saints of old, loved ones that have long passed on, and all who have loved the Lord with all their heart, mind, and strength.

2 Corinthians 5:8 “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

The urgency of the hour is the finality of death. We have no idea when we will take our last breath and yet many live carelessly like there is no tomorrow.

Like those who think they’re healthy and yet don’t realize a heart attack is about to occur, death will be a sober reality for everyone who has rejected their only hope for revival.

Spiritual Attack

Psalm 109:107 “I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!”

In health care we have many tools we use to keep someone alive, from defibrillators to drugs, the myriad of resources used to keep people alive can seem endless.

One of the foremost conclusions a provider must take is the understanding of what caused the problem in the first place. Whether it’s a paramedic that arrives on the scene or a patient running into the ER, determining the cause is critical in understanding the problem and how to treat it.

Spiritually, there are people who are sick, dying, and in need of revival. To understand the cause of the sickness, we must get to the root of the cause. There are many factors that lead to trouble, some ideas worth considering might include:

• Partaking of the worthless things of this world drains the life out of people. Psalm 119:37 “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.” The ways of the world not only lead to death, but fixating on the world drains the joy of life as well. Whether the fixation is on T.V., social media, or movies, the endless supply of worldly doctrine permeates the mind and can lead to depression. Pornography has lead many failed marriages, destroyed lives, and brings endless shame. We must use caution as to what we look upon, keeping our eyes pure allows our minds to be focus on the things of God. Ephesians 4:22 “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires.”
• Spiritual warfare is a reality many place little thought into until the damage has been done. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” If we fail to allow God to equip us each day for the onslaught of the enemy, we might be unprepared for when the attacks happen. Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” Sometimes, we need God to do spiritual CPR on our hearts, the failure is beyond mankind’s abilities.
• If we deviate from the Word of God we place ourselves in harm’s way. Like a diabetic that neglects their insulin, the Word of God brings life to those who choose the way of the Lord. Psalm 119:116 “Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live and do not let me be ashamed of my hope.” The old nature must diminish in the life of a believer, God’s nature must be exercised and allowed to flourish in our lives each day.
• Fear causes both a physical response and a spiritual response. It has been well documented the effects anxiety has upon the body, from heart failure to psychosis, the gripping weight of fear has profound effects. Spiritually, fear causes a drawing away from God to those who give in to it’s allure. Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” To those who experience peace in the midst of mounting pressure, the characteristics of Trust reverberate to those around them. It is this peace that becomes a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Daniel proved the impact of what trusting God can do, it transformed a kingdom for God.

Spiritual Revival

For those who have fallen, the need for emergent help can mean the difference between life and death. In many cases, time is of the essence when it comes to survivability. The quicker someone gets treated, the greater opportunity to recover that which was lost.

Spiritually, when a person is overwhelmed by this world, the Lord doesn’t waste time drawing them back.

The benefit we have as believers is our Spiritual Surgeon knows us and loves us so we do not fall unaware. When we fall, He uses the tools necessary to revive us.

• Our faith in God has been given to us by His work in our lives. It is this faith that carries us through the doubts injected from the enemy. Ephesians 6:16 “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;”
• God Himself becomes our guard, protecting us from the ways we become vulnerable. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”
• Scripture corrects the spiritual deviations that might occur in a believers life. Like a life saving injection, the Word of God injects Truth into a life blurred by deceit. 2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,”
• The Body of Christ comes together when others might become weak. The strength God supplies through His people works for the betterment of the whole. Titus 2:6-8 “Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.”
• Like doing regular check-ups with a physician, spending time in prayer and study keeps the mind sharp and the believer aligned with the Spirit of God each day. 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
• It is the love of God that is stored in the hearts of believers. No matter what this world brings against us, we will stand because God’s life dwells within. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.”

The Great Surgeon

The One who created us knows how to heal us.

Why do we look to anything else to appease our wounds, bring relief to our pain, or attempt to soothe the hurt? Those whom God uses directs the wounded back to Jesus.

The Lord knows all you are going through and He loves you. Whether the ailment is a result of sin or a spiritual attack, no wound is too deep, no blow too fatal that He can’t repair it.

The question is, where do you run when you need help?

James 5:14-16 “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

The Lord does intervene personally but He also uses His people to bring about restoration and healing. You must be connected to a Church or in fellowship with believers to allow this work of the Lord. If your not connected to a Body, it’s like shutting down the 911 emergency system, who are you going to call?

Being vulnerable and asking for help can be difficult, the humility required to admit your weakness can provide an opportunity for restoration. Everyone has times of weakness, everyone undergoes attack, it is through these times of healing the Body of Christ draws together in mutual affection.

If your doing well, count yourself blessed. Remember where your strength resides and where to call when necessary Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

God will always hear our call.