Doing the Will of God and Called for Revival by Edgar Reich

Devotional

Day 1: A Speck of Dust in the Hands of a Merciful God

The call to obedience often begins with recognizing our smallness before a holy God. A businessman turned revivalist recounts trembling at divine assignments, haunted by his past failures and divorce. Yet God’s mercy met him through Scripture, severance packages, and unexpected confirmations. Like Saul transformed into a king, the Spirit reshapes unlikely vessels. Obedience starts not with confidence in ourselves, but in the One who breathes purpose into dust. [14:06]

“Then the Spirit of the Lord will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them and be turned into another man.”
(1 Samuel 10:6, ESV)

Reflection: Where has your awareness of past failures hindered your willingness to say “yes” to God? How might His promise to remake you (like Saul) quiet those fears?

Day 2: When the Burning Bush Interrupts Your Routine

Moses tended sheep when fire engulfed a bush, demanding he confront Pharaoh. Divine assignments often disrupt comfortable rhythms. The preacher’s corporate career ended abruptly, replaced by 10-hour Bible study marathons. Obedience requires surrendering predictable paths to embrace holy interruptions. Yet God’s presence in the fire guarantees strength for the impossible. [08:48]

“Come now, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, ‘Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?’”
(Exodus 3:10-11, ESV)

Reflection: What “routine” has God recently interrupted to redirect you? How does Moses’ initial resistance mirror your own hesitations?

Day 3: The Fleece That Confirmed a Reluctant Yes

Gideon demanded proof—twice—before leading 300 men against armies “like sand by the sea.” The preacher laid his own fleece: “If five pastors confirm my call, I’ll obey.” God answered through shouting mentors and a Jewish pastor who mysteriously knew his destiny. When fear demands signs, God patiently provides confirmation without condemning our shaky faith. [12:19]

“The Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?’ And he said, ‘Please, Lord, how can I save Israel?’”
(Judges 6:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: What “fleece” have you placed before God to delay obedience? How has He already answered through people or circumstances?

Day 4: The Still Small Voice That Wouldn’t Let Go

Three years passed after the whisper: “Lead my people in revival.” The preacher argued—too old, too sinful, too unqualified. Yet the voice persisted through Scripture, job loss, and five confrontational pastors. Like Jonah fleeing to Tarshish, avoidance only led to greater storms. God’s callings echo until we stop negotiating and start marching toward Nineveh. [13:28]

“And the Spirit of the Lord will come upon you mightily, and you shall prophesy with them and be changed into another man.”
(1 Samuel 10:6, ESV)

Reflection: What persistent divine whisper have you tried to drown out with rational excuses? What first step could silence the noise of resistance?

Day 5: The Unprofitable Servant’s Surprising Joy

Revival crusades across continents brought salvations and demonic deliverances—yet the preacher insists he’s merely “an unprofitable servant.” True obedience finds joy not in accolades, but in the Master’s “well done.” Whether leading thousands or forgiving one enemy, faithfulness to small commands unlocks eternal rewards no earthly success can rival. [31:15]

“So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’”
(Luke 17:10, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you secretly desired recognition for obedience? How might embracing the “unworthy servant” identity free you to serve more joyfully?

Sermon Summary

Revelation 22:14 holds out a plain blessing to those who do God’s commandments. John ties love to obedience with a simple sentence, If you love me, keep my commandments, and Matthew binds the church to teach new believers to observe everything Jesus commanded. Revelation’s letters make it clear that Jesus treats his sayings as commandments, and he disciplines churches that will not repent. Grace is not cancelled. Ephesians 2:8-9 fixes salvation as a gift, not of works. Yet Ephesians 2:10 says God created his people in Christ Jesus unto good works, already prepared for them to walk in. Confession is kept close at hand through 1 John 1:9, because failure can be repented of, cleansed, and turned.

Moses at the bush, Jonah on the run, and Gideon with a fleece all show that God calls reluctant people, equips them, and then asks them to do exactly what he says. The pattern is not glamour. The key is precise obedience to the command of God, and God brings the fruit. The Spirit’s call can come as a still small voice. A man may say, Who me, Lord, and list excuses, but the Lord answers with Scripture, with providence, with the witness of others, and with the steady press of his word, for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Unexpected job changes, unusual provision, closed doors to wrong training, and years of Bible study under the Spirit’s teaching can all be part of God’s schooling for revival.

God confirms a call through the mouth of two or three witnesses. A stranger may call a man pastor before he knows it himself. A bold friend may shout, You must do God’s will. Church doors can open before ordination, and ordination can come late in life through seasoned leaders who test calling and doctrine. Then the Lord sends where he pleases, sometimes to nations, sometimes to prisons, sometimes to pastors, and sometimes revival drops fall only to be stopped by human control. The servant remains an unprofitable servant, and that is fine. The joy is the Lord’s doing.

The way into this is not complicated. Start with the commands written down. Tell the gospel. Forsake sexual immorality. Stop stealing and lying. Forgive the ones who hurt deeply. Keep the Lord’s Day holy. Love neighbors and enemies. Ask forgiveness from those hurt. Hold loosely to everything for Jesus’ sake. Obedience brings blessing that outstrips money, titles, and reputation. Blessed are they that do his commandments.

Key Takeaways

1. Obedience flows from love, not earning Obedience is not payment for salvation, it is the heartbeat of love for Jesus. Grace secures the relationship, and obedience expresses it without replacing it. The blessing of Revelation sits on doing, while Ephesians guards the gift. Both belong together without tension. [00:30]
2. God calls reluctant, ordinary servants Moses stuttered, Jonah ran, Gideon hid, yet God used each when they finally obeyed. The pattern is weakness met by the Spirit and specific commands followed exactly. The ground of courage is not self confidence but the Lord who sends. [11:42]
3. Calling is firm though obedience lags Delay wastes time, but the Lord’s call does not evaporate. He confirms through Scripture, providence, and faithful saints who will not let the matter drop. Repentance clears the way, and the work resumes under mercy. [19:22]
4. Revival begins with simple commands Before any special assignment, Scripture gives clear steps to walk in daily. Gospel witness, sexual purity, truth telling, forgiveness, and enemy love are not optional extras. Revival is God’s fire on the altar of ordinary obedience. [32:36]
5. Joy outweighs status and success The reward of doing what Jesus says outshines careers, wealth, and applause. Identity settles into unprofitable servant, while the heart overflows with blessing. The Lord himself becomes the portion and the joy. [30:00]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Revelation’s blessing on obedience
[00:30] - If you love me, keep my commandments
[00:50] - Teach them to observe all I commanded
[66:00] - Jesus’ commands in Revelation’s churches
[105:00] - Grace alone and confession of sin
[203:00] - Created in Christ Jesus unto good works
[488:00] - The challenge to do God’s will
[528:00] - Moses at the burning bush
[607:00] - Jonah, the fish, and Nineveh’s repentance
[702:00] - Gideon’s fleece and the 300
[783:00] - A late and difficult personal call
[846:00] - Still small voice and Scripture confirmations
[1015:00] - Job loss, unusual severance, Spirit’s schooling
[1068:00] - Three years of Scripture study
[1144:00] - The gifts and calling are irrevocable
[1203:00] - A friend’s rebuke toward obedience
[1258:00] - Providence on Wall Street and a new ally
[1457:00] - Tested in pulpits and confirmed by leaders
[1531:00] - Ordination late in life
[1589:00] - Sent to nations, God did it
[1672:00] - Drops of revival and human stopping
[1764:00] - All God’s doing, not the servant’s
[1800:00] - Joy that beats titles and money
[1896:00] - Return to Revelation 22:14
[1936:00] - Start with the written commands
[2064:00] - Invitation to salvation and closing prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Revelation 22:14 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.”

Observation Questions

What specific blessing does Revelation 22:14 associate with obedience to God’s commandments?
The sermon highlighted Moses, Jonah, and Gideon as examples of reluctant servants. What excuses or hesitations did they initially express when called by God? (See transcript examples: [08:48], [10:07], [11:42])
According to the sermon, how does Ephesians 2:8-10 reconcile salvation as a gift with the call to obey God’s commands?

Interpretation Questions

Why does the Bible connect love for Jesus with obedience to His commands (John 14:15)? How does this relationship guard against viewing obedience as a way to “earn” salvation?
The sermon emphasizes that God’s call is “irrevocable” even when obedience is delayed. What does this reveal about God’s character and His purposes for His people? (See transcript: [19:22])
How do the “simple commands” mentioned in the sermon (e.g., forgiveness, purity, honesty) serve as a foundation for revival? Why might neglecting these hinder spiritual growth?

Application Questions

The sermon mentions that obedience often starts with “written commands” like forgiving others or speaking truthfully. Which of these areas feels most challenging for you right now, and what practical step could you take this week to grow in obedience?
Reflect on a time you felt God prompting you to act but hesitated (like Moses or Jonah). What fears or excuses held you back? How might you respond differently if a similar situation arises? (See transcript: [13:03])
The sermon shares a personal story of God confirming a call through others’ encouragement. Who in your life could you ask to prayerfully help you discern or confirm God’s direction for you?
The phrase “unprofitable servant” (Luke 17:10) was used to describe humility in serving God. How can embracing this mindset free you from performance-driven faith and deepen your joy in obedience?
The sermon warns that revival can be “stopped by human control” (see [27:52]). Are there areas where you’ve tried to manage outcomes instead of trusting God’s process? How might surrendering control open the door to His work?

Sermon Clips

Moses did not want to do it and he started to give excuses to God uh that God chose the wrong man. He said, "Who am I? Pharaoh won't believe me. My speech is no good. I'm slow of speech and I have a slow tongue." He said, "Now God gave him powers not of his own." He gave him Aaron to speak and Moses followed God precisely after that. and some of the greatest miracles the world has ever seen followed. [00:09:13]

Now God wants revival more than we do. For he says, "Draw near to me and I will draw near to you." I still felt I'm a man not ordained who is divorced and who should not do the Lord's call. I continued to say, "Lord, I can't. I'm too evil and I'm too old." But the Lord replied, "If you love me, keep my [clears throat] commandments." [00:18:38]

This does not take away from the doctrine of grace, where we are saved by grace and not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:es 8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast." Now, doing the commandments brings great joy, rewards, blessings, and happiness from the Lord. [00:01:47]

Now God has done all of this in meetings. It is his glory. It is his power. It is all [clears throat] God's doing if the Holy Spirit convicts men and women of saving grace and Christians to repent. The revival ministry that I'm talking about started with the Lord's call in my life. And there was an immediate call for obedience and to follow him in spirit and in truth. [00:29:24]

Yes, when we are obedient to him, we will experience great joy, incredible rewards. And then in Revelation 22:14, God had reminded us in the last chapter of the Bible, blessed are they that do his commandments. [00:31:36]

Their camels were without number. They were like sand by the sea. But God gave Gideon a great incredible victory with only 300 men. The key was that Gideon followed the exact commands of God. [00:12:34]

Uh there is obedience in witnessing, obedience in adultery, obedience not to steal, obedience in giving up lying, obedience in forgiving the person that affected my life negatively for 50 years. Obedience in keeping the Sunday holy. Obedience in loving our neighbors and esteeming others better than ourselves. obedience in loving an enemy uh that had uh done great harm in my life. Then obedience to ask for forgiveness of those that I had hurt greatly and obedience in forsaking all after we are saved. [00:02:29]

So the people in the great city of Nineveh believed uh Jonah fasted and turned from sinning. God then did not destroy and kill them. The key was that the prophet finally and after running from God was obedient and proclaimed what he was supposed to do. [00:11:10]

the Bible also says in Romans 11 29 for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. Uh many of the newer translations uh say for God's gifts and his call uh are irrevocable. Now God then used five Christian leaders to call me to start speaking in revival and to commence a revival ministry three years late in year 2008. [00:19:08]

Likewise I was called by the Lord even as Moses was called, even as the prophet Jonah was called, and even as Gideon was called. I'm nothing compared to these men. But God called me for revival. Even by delaying my obedience, God has been merciful to me. [00:13:25]

We can repent when we fail of course. Uh but the Lord wants us to change the road we are on with his help. So, first John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he's faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [00:01:21]

The Lord answered with a tiny small voice giving me a Bible passage from 1st Samuel 10:6 which said, "And the spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you shall prophesy with them and shall be turned into another man." [00:15:18]

Now, the prophet Jonah in the Bible was to go to the city of Nineveh and warn them of a great judgment from God coming, which would destroy them and kill them because of all of their evil and sin. Jonah did not want to do that. He tried to flee from the Lord, but God sent a great fish and put him into the fish for three days and three nights. [00:10:09]

Gideon went against his own family and his father and destroyed an image to a false god, Baal. But his father did defend him. The spirit of God came upon Gideon to act and do what God had told him to do. Gideon wanted to be sure and asked the Lord to send him a confirmation. [00:11:46]

The key was that Moses followed exactly the commands of God except one time where he struck a rock uh incorrectly and that caused him to go into the promised land. So God wants us to also do what he says he wants us to do. [00:09:48]

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