When Peter is preaching in the book of Acts he uses this striking phrase, times of refreshing, to capture the promise of the gospel.
Your soul is not capable of surviving outside of God’s sustaining grace. It is vulnerable and will shrivel and dry out. You will have experienced this in different seasons of life.
Sometimes, this soul decay is down to busyness and hurry, and especially when that leads you to prayerlessness and distance from the Lord. At other times, this condition is caused by a state of mind, brought about by burdens and worries that are not left with God in trust. Too often, the soul wilts because of a persistent wandering away from Jesus, the giver of life; a deliberate disobedience that grieves the Spirit.
How do you experience true refreshing, even a prolonged season of refreshing in God? It is always through the dual dynamic of repentance and embrace, putting off and putting on, turning away and turning to.
Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus… (Acts 3.19–20)
First, the repentance. It’s impossible to know God’s refreshing presence until we take stock and recognise that we need to stop wandering away. Ask forgiveness for that sin; repent of that overwork; engage in deep confession about that anxiety rooted in unbelief.
Then, the embrace. You turn away so that you can turn towards. You receive forgiveness so you can be clothed in righteousness. You stop trying to do things in your own strength so you can receive Christ’s strength. You lay down your worries so you can receive his peace. You return to the fold so you can enjoy his presence.
May the Lord bring you times of refreshing in this season of return and renewal.