Part 1-3: The Flame on the Rock at Zorah

Bible Reading:

Judges 13:1–12 — Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. Now there was a certain man from Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and had no children. And the Angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Indeed now, you are barren and have borne no children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Now therefore, please be careful not to drink wine or similar drink, and not to eat anything unclean. For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” So the woman came and told her husband, saying, “A Man of God came to me, and His countenance was like the countenance of the Angel of God, very awesome; but I did not ask Him where He was from, and He did not tell me His name. And He said to me, ‘Behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. Now drink no wine or similar drink, nor eat anything unclean, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.’” Then Manoah prayed to the Lord, and said, “O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.” And God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the Angel of God came to the woman again as she was sitting in the field; but Manoah her husband was not with her. Then the woman ran in haste and told her husband, and said to him, “Look, the Man who came to me the other day has just now appeared to me!” So Manoah arose and followed his wife. When he came to the Man, he said to Him, “Are You the Man who spoke to this woman?” And He said, “I am.” Manoah said, “Now let Your words come to pass! What will be the boy’s rule of life, and his work?”

Judges 13:19–20 — So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering, and offered it upon the rock to the Lord. And He did a wondrous thing while Manoah and his wife looked on— it happened as the flame went up toward heaven from the altar—the Angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar! When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell on their faces to the ground.

Judges 13:24–25 — So the woman bore a son and called his name Samson; and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to move upon him at Mahaneh Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Another Revival

The Bible speaks repeatedly of the Lord sending down fire to revive His people. This holy fire of revival symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Every time the Holy Spirit moves on earth, it brings a fresh revival to God’s people. This morning, we turn our attention to the flame on the rock at Zorah. We see that during Israel’s time in Canaan, the people often abandoned the Lord. When they forsook Him to serve the idols of the land, the Lord handed them over to their enemies. We’ve previously mentioned the revival during Gideon’s time, but not long after, the people again turned away from the Lord. This illustrates how, in our journey of following Christ, our spiritual condition often fluctuates—revival followed by failure, failure followed by revival...The Book of Judges recounts this cycle of Israel’s history: repeated failures and repeated revivals. The passage we just read speaks of Manoah and his wife giving birth to Samson. When Samson grew up and emerged, he once again brought revival to the people of Israel.

Israel Under the Oppression of the Philistines

In Judges 13, it says that the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. During Gideon’s time, they suffered cruel oppression under the Midianites. Now, they endured the harsh rule of the Philistines for forty long years. This was the consequence of God’s people straying from Him—they fell into a life of bondage and painful affliction. Brothers and sisters, think back: when we drift away from the Lord, don’t we also fall into a state of bondage and lose our freedom? As it is said in the Gospel of John, “...whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). To depart from God is to fall into sin, and the result is bondage to evil, domination by the flesh, and the encroachment of death. Such a person loses freedom and peace, and naturally cannot rejoice or praise. Let us examine ourselves: from the beginning of the year to its end, have we truly lived in freedom, release, and praises? If not, it may indicate that we’ve been bound—perhaps by sin, perhaps by the flesh, or even by the shadow of death—leading to a life of painful struggle, without joy or peace.

God Chooses Vessels for Revival

So how can we break free from the oppression of the enemy and experience revival? Remember this: it is not by our own strength that we revive ourselves, nor is there any method that can bring revival. Revival comes solely from God. This time is no exception—God Himself chooses the vessel of revival to restore His people.

1. The Man from Zorah

   The passage we read earlier shows us that God chose a man from Zorah. The name “Zorah” means “a place of leprosy.” From a spiritual perspective, each of us stands before God as one afflicted with leprosy—defiled, corrupted, and unworthy. Yet God seeks us out, revives us, and even uses us to bring in revival. It is not because we possess any virtue or qualification to be used by God, but because of His merciful and gracious choosing. We are descendants of Adam, a rebellious race—all spiritual lepers! Just as the Lord prepared Moses for His use by first commanding him to put his hand into his bosom, and when he took it out, his hand was leprous, this reveals that whatever comes from man is leprous. Later, the Lord cleanse him. So before God, we are all leprous—unclean and defiled. From the inside out, from head to toe, we are utterly corrupted and spiritually repulsive. Yet God still chooses us, just as He found Manoah in Zorah. He chose Manoah so that he and his wife would give birth to Samson. This shows that the work of revival is initiated from heaven. It is governed by God, controlled by His throne. In the ministry of revival, man is forever powerless.

2. Manoah’s Wife

   Not only that—Manoah’s wife was barren. If she could not bear children, how could she possibly give birth to Samson? This further emphasizes that revival is utterly impossible through human effort alone. Therefore, the Lord chose Manoah’s wife—who was barren and unable to conceive—to bring forth Samson as His vessel of revival. This was to make it abundantly clear to us that revival is entirely the work of the Lord. It is born out of His merciful and gracious election, according to His divine will, and accomplished through vessels fashioned by His own hand.

The Flame on the Rock of Zorah Brings Faith and Trains Samson to Usher in Revival

On one hand, God chose Manoah’s wife in Zorah to give birth to Samson. On the other hand, He used the flame on the rock of Zorah to strengthen the faith of Manoah and his wife. This empowered them to obey God’s command and, after Samson was born, to raise him in full accordance with the Lord’s instructions. As a result, Samson was able to fulfill God’s calling—serving as a judge of Israel for twenty years, repeatedly defeating the Philistines, and time and again ushering in revival for the Israelites. From this, we see that the flame on the rock of Zorah was a crucial key to ushering in revival.

Now, let us consider: How can we draw forth the flame on the rock of Zorah today—so that faith may give birth to a “Samson,” and raise him to maturity as a judge, bringing revival to God’s people?

1. Reverence Toward the Lord

   When Manoah’s wife encountered the Angel of the Lord, she attentively listened to His words, treasured them in her heart, and then went to tell her husband. This was an expression of reverence toward the Lord, just as it is written in the Book of Malachi: “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another” (Malachi 3:16) And what about Manoah? He, too, feared the Lord. After hearing his wife’s account, he prayed to the Lord. Because of his reverence, he sought the Lord in prayer, saying: “O my Lord, please let the Man of God whom You sent come to us again and teach us what we shall do for the child who will be born.” (Judges 13:8) His desire to follow God’s will and obey His commands clearly reveals his heart of reverence. Moreover, when the Angel of the Lord was about to depart, Manoah tried to detain Him, further showing how deeply he and his wife revered the Lord.

   Dear young brothers and sisters, one of the most vital virtues for every Christian is the fear of the Lord. This is especially true for young believers. So, what does it mean to fear the Lord? To fear the Lord is to have a heart that dreads offending Him. When the apostles went out to preach, they faced opposition from the authorities who forbade them. Yet their response was: “We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29) This shows that they feared offending God more than disobeying men. That is the essence of reverence. We should adopt this same attitude: to fear grieving the Lord, to fear causing Him sorrow. Some Christians say, “What’s the big deal if I sin? Failure isn’t that serious.” But they forget that God in heaven grieves over them. As it says in Genesis 6:5–6: “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually....and He was grieved in His heart.” If we do not fear the Lord, we cause sorrow to His heart. Therefore, we must fear Him. As parents, we can somewhat understand this: when our children are disobedient, unruly, and defiant, our hearts are deeply grieved. How much more must our loving Father in heaven grieve when we disregard His will?

   I often observe that some young people, though they have believed in the Lord, show no reverence toward Him. When they speak about spiritual matters, their tone and attitude are no different from when they speak about worldly things. Their approach to church gatherings and service is equally casual and indifferent. Why is it that our student evangelism bears so little fruit? It is because when you speak to your classmates about salvation, your demeanor is no different from when you joke around with them. But if you truly feared the Lord, then when you speak of Jesus Christ, your words would carry sincerity and urgency. Your classmates would sense the reality and importance of what you’re saying. And through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, they might be moved to repent and believe in the Lord.

   Today’s Christians are far too casual. For example, during the breaking of bread, many brothers and sisters sit and chat idly. Normally, when we come to such a gathering, we ought to begin with personal silent prayer, saying: “Lord, I come to remember You. If there is any sin in me, please shine Your light upon it and forgive me.” Otherwise, when we partake of the bread and the cup, we are eating and drinking judgment upon ourselves. As Scripture warns: “For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” (1 Corinthians 11:29) This applies to all gatherings. We come to meet the Lord, yet some treat it lightly—dozing off or engaging in other distractions. May the Lord grant us a heart that fears Him, so that our worship may be acceptable to Him. There was a servant of the Lord from whom I received great help. Every time he prayed, he knelt down—regardless of whether the ground was clean or dirty. He simply knelt and prayed. This, too, is an expression of reverence toward the Lord. If we have truly received grace and live a life that fears the Lord, it will ultimately usher in revival.

2. No Wine or Strong Drink

   The angel of the Lord instructed Manoah’s wife: “Do not drink wine or strong drink.” This command signifies a life not given to worldly indulgence. In today’s world, where material abundance surrounds us, we are permitted to enjoy what God has graciously provided for our needs—but we must not become lovers of pleasure. Take this example: Suppose your parents build a house with a garden, a swimming pool, and all kinds of modern amenities. You may enjoy these with a heart full of thanksgiving, without rejecting them as worldly. After all, they are part of the Lord’s provision. On the other hand, if you live in a small, humble home, you should still give thanks and praise to the Lord for what He has measured out for you. Whether our circumstances are abundant or modest, we must thank and praise Him, for all things work for our good. Those who love worldly pleasures respond differently. When things are lacking, they complain. For instance, we are now staying in a hotel prepared by the Lord. Most things are well arranged, but due to a shortage of sofa beds, you may have to sleep on a wooden board. In such a situation, can you still say, “Lord, I thank You,” and remain joyful in your heart? If sleeping on a wooden board makes you unhappy, then you are one who loves worldly comfort. Manoah, his wife, and their son Samson lived by the principle of not drinking wine or strong drink—meaning they did not pursue worldly pleasures.

   Currently, I’m staying at a brother’s home. In summer, the upstairs gets very hot in the afternoon, so the room is equipped with an air conditioner. I use it without feeling I’m indulging in worldly pleasure, because it’s a proper provision arranged by the Lord. Six or seven years ago, I stayed in the same brother’s house in Manila. Back then, there was no air conditioning, and the afternoons and evenings were truly hot. I shared a room with another brother, and because of the heat, we laid mats on the floor and slept there—joyfully. We thanked the Lord when we had no air conditioning, and we thank Him now that we do. Whether our bodies are comfortable or not, we give thanks just the same. This is what it means to not love worldly pleasure. We use what the Lord provides, but we do not cling to it. That is the meaning of “do not drink wine or strong drink.” We know that drinking wine can lead to addiction—today a little, tomorrow a little more, and soon you cannot do without it. Likewise, worldly pleasures can become addictive and captivating. Therefore, not loving worldly enjoyment is what it means to abstain from wine and strong drink. Dear young brothers and sisters, in this age of intense temptation and deception, cultivate the habit of not drinking wine or strong drink.

3. Do Not Eat Anything Unclean

   The angel of the Lord further instructed: “Do not eat anything unclean.” This command signifies the need to reject all sin and defilement. Young brothers and sisters must especially take heed—for today’s world is saturated with evil, immorality, and corruption. The Word of God also warned us:“An evil and adulterous generation…” (Matthew 12:39) Many sinful and impure things—lustful desires, selfish cravings, and corrupt influences—can lead to spiritual decline when we see or hear them. Therefore, we must completely reject these things. They are unclean, and to accept them is to consume what is spiritually defiled. The result? We cannot bring forth a “Samson”. To give birth to "Samson", we must not only abstain from wine and strong drink (worldly pleasures), but also from all that is unholy and impure. We must guard our hearts against the love of worldly enjoyment and be vigilant against the invasion of sin and defilement.

Offering the Young Goat as a Burnt Offering

Manoah’s offering of the young goat as a burnt offering is a picture of our own experience of consecration. For Christians to bring forth the fire of revival, offering ourselves is indispensable. And this offering is not a one-time act—it must be repeated, renewed, and sustained. Just as fire once fell upon the burnt offering before the tabernacle, now we see the flame on the rock in Zorah consuming the young goat. These signs reveal that revival fire always comes through offering ourselves as living sacrifices. Offering ourselves to God must be a daily, ongoing, and ever-renewing lifestyle. It is not enough to have once surrendered, living in continual consecration.

Dear brothers and sisters, though you may have offered yourselves to the Lord in the past, perhaps you have lost the lifestyle of consecration. And so, your revival has ceased. May the love of the Lord stir us again to offer ourselves afresh, so that the fire of revival may continually ignite our spirits and burn brightly upon our lives.

1. Offering the Grain Offering

This time, Manoah offered both a burnt offering and a grain offering together. He did not offer the grain offering alone, because it contains no blood, and thus cannot be accepted by God on its own. This is God’s ordinance, without shedding of blood there is no remission. Therefore, the grain offering—symbolizing human conduct—must be presented alongside the blood-bearing burnt offering, which prefigures Christ’s redemptive sacrifice.

The grain offering represents the flawless earthly life of Jesus Christ. During His thirty-three and a half years on earth, God observed Him closely and found Him altogether beautiful and without blemish. He never erred, and He fully manifested the living God. His radiant character drew people to follow Him. His divinely approved, true, good, and beautiful way of living was the grain offering presented before God.

How Do We Experience the Grain Offering? The grain offering especially refers to our daily walk. By grace, God has sent the fire of revival upon us and it is burning among us. But how much this fire burns and how long it lasts depends on the quality of the grain offering we present in our everyday lives. We must pay close attention to this. Without a life of grain offering, the fire of revival may burn briefly, but it will soon fade. We do not desire a revival that only ignites us for a moment on the mountain of Baguio, only to vanish after we descend or after a few months. What we long for is a fire that continues to burn—spreading through every corner of the church, touching every brother and sister, and even sweeping across the entire island of the Philippines. For the Lord has promised that this fire shall burn from Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

1. Fine Flour

   The first ingredient of the grain offering is fine flour. The word “fine” speaks of something soft, even, and well-refined. In our conduct on earth, we must not be harsh, coarse, excessive, or lacking—we must be gentle, balanced, and consistent. I once heard a seasoned and respected pastor say to a group of ministers at a spiritual retreat, “Don’t keep talking about being spiritual and forget to be human. We still need to be human!” His words revealed a misunderstanding of what it means to be spiritual—as if spirituality meant becoming angelic. But the Word of God shows us that a truly spiritual person is the most balanced and refined—living a life that expresses both God and authentic humanity. It is the heavenly life manifested in earthly living. The Lord Jesus, during His thirty-three and a half years on earth, lived the most balanced and refined life—just like fine flour. This time, we’ve come up to the mountain and received revival through the Lord’s mercy. But after going down—whether at home, in school, or at work—we must continue to express that same gentleness and balance. That is the fine flour of the grain offering.

2. Mixed with Oil, Pour Oil, Anointed with Oil

   The second ingredient of the grain offering is oil. Oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. Some grain offerings are mixed with oil, others have oil poured or anointed upon them. Mixing with oil refers to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It means that the Spirit of the Lord lives within us, continually anointing, shaping, and blending our lives. Every time we obey the Spirit, it’s as though another measure of oil is mixed in. When He prompts, we respond. When He restrains, we stop. When we follow His leading, we live the life of a grain offering mixed with oil.

   To have oil poured or anointed upon us speaks of the Spirit’s outpouring and filling. We must continually seek the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This was the life of Jesus. Hebrews 9:14:“…how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God…” From the moment Jesus was conceived in Mary’s womb, He was filled with the Spirit. For thirty years, He lived in quiet obedience at home, following the Spirit’s anointing—living the grain offering mixed with oil. At age thirty, when He was baptized in the Jordan, when He came up from the waters, the Spirit of God descended upon Him, poured on Him. God has anointed Him with the oil of gladness more than His companions. From that moment, Jesus was not only filled inwardly but also anointed outwardly. His entire being—inside and out—was filled with the Holy Spirit. And He lived His life in the Holy Spirit. This is the grain offering life of Jesus: mixed with oil, poured with oil, and anointed with oil. We too must live this way—fully yielded to the Spirit, inside and out, living a life of grain offering mixed with oil, poured with oil and annointed with oil. Without this, the fire of revival cannot descend. Even if it does, it cannot endure, nor can it be sustained and move forward.

   Dear brothers and sisters, when we received grace, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within us. He is alive and teaches us in all things. We must listen carefully. Years ago, while ministering in a certain place, a blind brother asked me, “What is the most basic lesson for spiritual growth?” I replied, “The most basic and essential lesson is to obey the voice of the indwelling Spirit—the anointing’s teaching. Whatever He tells you, do it.” He took this to heart and placed a box of matches in his pocket. Each time he obeyed the Spirit, he would place one matchstick in his pocket as a marker. One morning, in his morning watch, the Spirit prompted him: “Your wife was very tired yesterday. You woke up earlier—go wash the rice for her.” He obeyed and placed one matchstick in his pocket. Then he knelt down to pray. The Spirit said, “Your child left the shoes messy last night. Go tidy them.” He obeyed again—second matchstick. Then, “Pray for Sister So-and-so; she hasn’t been attending meetings.” He knelt and prayed—third matchstick. “Pray for the pulpit.” He interceded fervently—fourth matchstick. “Wake your children.” He did so—fifth matchstick. By Saturday evening, when he stood to testify, we learned he had obeyed the Spirit around forty times that day. We couldn’t help but worship and praise the Lord with joy. This is the grain offering. This is the life of one who offers it. Brothers and sisters, ask yourself: how many times in a day do you obey the Spirit’s voice? In a week? Some may not have obeyed even once. Some perhaps not in a month—or even a year. No wonder the church lacks revival. May the Lord have mercy on us.

   The Spirit’s outpouring and filling symbolized by pouring of oil also was mentioned by Peter on Pentecost. He quoted the words of the prophet Joel: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh…” (Acts 2:17) If you and I are human, then God will pour out His spirit on us. This is God's promise. Just as we receive forgiveness once we believe that Jesus bore our sins on the cross. It’s not a special privilege—it’s a normal experience. God never create difficulties for His people. His salvation and gifts are by free and simple to receive.

   I once spoke with a learned man—full of knowledge and intellect—but he could not grasp the simple truth of Jesus bearing our sins on the cross. As Scripture says:“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” For us, it's simple— believe and we are saved. Receiving the Spirit’s outpouring is just as simple. I once believed it was difficult, having read misleading teachings. But I later discovered that receiving the Spirit is as easy as receiving the cleansing of Christ’s blood—just believe. May the Lord pour out His Spirit upon us in these days, that each of us may receive Him fully. This is the experience of the grain offering: mixed with oil, poured with oil, and anointed with oil.

3. The Covenant of Salt

   The third element of the grain offering is the salt of the covenant, which points to the eternal work of the cross. The work of the cross is eternally unchanging —this is what the salt symbolizes. Our acceptance of the cross is not limited to the day of our salvation; rather, it is a daily experience from the moment we are saved until the day we meet the Lord. In the simple aspect, this means daily cleansing through the precious blood. From deeper aspect, it means daily surrender to the cross, allowing it to put off our old self. We know that the blood Jesus shed is the seal of an everlasting covenant, granting us eternal forgiveness of sins. As Jesus said during the Last Supper with the disciples: “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:28) Thus, the salt of the covenant refers to the eternal redemption accomplished by the cross. We must draw near to the Lord daily, seeking cleansing through His blood. On the other hand, we must also take up the cross daily, denying and rejecting ourselves through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) It's bearing the cross daily, not a one-time event. It is a continual experience through which we, by the Spirit, put to death the deeds of the flesh. (Romans 8:13) In this way, the fire of revival within us will not be extinguished.

4. Frankincense

   The fourth element added to the grain offering is frankincense, which symbolizes the resurrected life of the Lord Jesus. From the day we were saved, the resurrection life of Christ has been within us, leading us daily to overcome death. As Paul declared: “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.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9 ) Oh! Here is a man named Paul—he lived above his circumstances and triumphed continually. Death could not hold him; hardship could not defeat him. This is the power of resurrection life, prefigured by the frankincense. In the book of Acts, even when Paul was imprisoned, he could still praise and sing hymns. (Acts 16:25) And when Peter was imprisoned, he rejoiced, saying they were counted worthy to suffer. (Acts 5:41) All of this is a marvelous and glorious manifestation of Christ’s resurrection life.This is the experience of frankincense in the grain offering.

5. No Leaven Allowed

   Fifth, every grain offering presented to the Lord must be without leaven. Leaven symbolizes sin, and Christians are called to live lives free from sin while on earth. 1st John chapter 3 verse 9 says, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” This is a special exhortation to young believers: be vigilant—do not allow leaven into your life. The grain offering speaks of our conduct and character. Sometimes, out of fear of offending classmates or friends, one might compromise and fall into sin. That is how leaven enters.

   I thank the Lord for His keeping grace. When I was in school, I had two or three close friends—closer than even my own siblings. At the time, none of them believed in Jesus, and I had not yet experienced spiritual revival. We were very close. Later, after I was revived by the Lord, they came to invite me to watch movies during summer break. Refusing once or twice was easy, but saying no every time was difficult. But because leaven could sneak in when I watch movies. So I told them plainly: “I’m sorry, I’m a Christian. The Lord Jesus does not permit me to watch movies. Please forgive me.” At first, they didn’t accept it. But eventually, they had no choice but to respect it. That was a choice to reject a life with leaven.

   Brothers and sisters, in our daily walk, sin can creep in when we are not careful. When temptation comes, if we accommodate social expectations or follow worldly customs, sin enters immediately. You cannot say, “They’re just classmates,” or “These are dear friends visiting from afar, just this once won’t hurt.” Nor can you excuse yourself by saying, “Lord, forgive me, just this once.” Do not give sin any room. Remember, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. That’s why leaven is absolutely forbidden in the grain offering.

6. No Honey Allowed

   The sixth principle, in the grain offering is “For you shall burn... nor any honey..." (Leviticus 2:11) This is a crucial point, yet one often overlooked by many Christians. Honey, which gives sweetness, symbolizes excessive emotion. Human beings are emotional creatures, and life inevitably involves emotional relationships—between friends, parents and children, spouses, and fellow believers. These connections are often sustained through appropriate affection. However, honey here refers to excessive emotios. Anything in excess becomes harmful, so it is with emotion. Over-involvement or overly intimate relationships can be likened to honey. Once this “honey” enters, spiritual things begin to deteriorate. In fact, honey can be so overwhelming that it causes the complete loss of spiritual vitality.

   In the early stage of my spiritual revival, I was fervent—zealous for the Lord, pursuing Him, preaching the gospel, and full of His presence. But after a while, honey crept in. Excessive emotional entanglements entered my life, and soon my spiritual appetite and experience began to fade. This was a season of failure following a great revival. That period of spiritual decline lasted more than half a year. I had no interest in reading the Bible, prayer lost its flavor, meetings and service felt dull, and my spirit was heavy. It was as if everything spiritual had been ruined. Young brothers and sisters, be especially watchful—do not let honey enter your life. When emotional indulgence floods in, it signals the bankruptcy of your spiritual treasure. Outwardly, you may still pray, attend meetings, and serve, but you know that the Lord is already at a far distance. And if that’s the case—what revival is left to speak of?

7. Baked, Roasted, Fried

   Lastly, whether the grain offering is baked, roasted, or fried, each method of preparation involve fire, which symbolizes enduring fiery trials. The Lord may permit problems in the family where relationships feel strained. Perhaps your parents don’t understand you, or your children fail to honor you. Maybe there’s discord among brothers and sisters in Christ. It could be financial hardship, setbacks in your career, or painful blows from people, circumstances, or environments that feel unbearable. All these are the baked, roasted, and fried grain offering. May the Lord preserve us, that we might receive grace to live out the life of a grain offering. When we do, the fire of revival will continue to burn brightly among us.

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