“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” — Acts 3:19 (KJV)
What is “Times of Refreshing”?
A time of refreshing is a divine moment where Heaven meets Earth with restoration, renewal, and a revival of strength. It is a season where the dry places become fruitful again, where brokenness gives way to wholeness, and where the past is overshadowed by the glory of what is new.
Just as Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters,” this time is symbolic of green pastures, divine restoration, and a shining moment when God turns mourning into dancing and ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3).
Emblems of Refreshing:
Each symbol is a divine tool used by God to bring us into His freshness:
- Water for Cleansing – “…with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26); Heb. 10:22
- Blood for Purification – “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7; Heb. 9:14, Rev.1:5
- Rain for Supply – “Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain…” (Zechariah 10:1; Leviticus 26:4; Isaiah 55:10-11
- Spirit for Renewal – “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength…” Isaiah 40:31; Romans 8:11; II Corinthians 4:16
Biblical Examples of Refreshing:
Throughout Scripture, God brought refreshing to lives and situations long deemed hopeless:
- Naaman – from leprosy to restoration (2 Kings 5:14)
- The Bent-over Woman – 18 years of bondage ended in one encounter (Luke 13:11-13)
- The Woman with the Issue of Blood – 12 years healed by a touch (Mark 5:25-34)
- The Man Born Blind – saw for the first time (John 9:1-7)
- Elijah and the End of Drought – rain restored after 3.5 years (1 Kings 18:41-45)
- The Lame at the Gate Beautiful – leapt for joy after years of begging (Acts 3:1-10)
- Sarah – aged womb refreshed to bear a nation (Genesis 21:12)
- The Prodigal Son – From rebellion to restoration- (Luke 15:24)
Characteristics of Times of Refreshing:
- It is Visible to All – “And all the people saw him walking and praising God.” (Acts 3:9)
- It Is Better and More Glorious – “The glory of this latter house shall be greater…” (Haggai 2:9; Psalm 126:1-3
- It Comes with New Strength – “Your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:5)
- It Terminates Old Stories – “Behold, I will do a new thing…” (Isaiah 43:18 -19)
Magnitude & Dimension of Refreshing:
- Perfect Refreshing – God completes whatever He starts (Philippians 1:6)
- Full Refreshing – Nothing missing, nothing broken (Joel 2:25-26)
- Lasting Refreshing – Like rivers that never run dry (John 4:14)
PRAYER UPROAR: Let the River Flow!
“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” — Psalm 81:10
- Father, I declare this is my season of refreshing – “The set time to favour her has come.” (Psalm 102:13)
- I receive the full dimensions of divine refreshing – “That you might be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)
- Let the Living Water flow into every dry area of my life – “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)
- By the Blood of Jesus, cleanse me—body, mind, and soul—for a fresh start – “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean.” (Psalm 51:7)
- Holy Spirit, renew my strength, empower me for righteousness and purpose – “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
- Let AyoBello Memorial Baptist Church, Ilorin, testify of continuous refreshing – “The Lord shall guide you continually… and you shall be like a watered garden.” (Isaiah 58:11)
Conclusion:
Beloved, “Times of Refreshing” are not just seasonal—they are spiritual. They come from the presence of the Lord (Acts 3:19). As we align our hearts, lift our voices, and yield to the Holy Spirit, rivers will flow, glory will fall, and new stories will be written. Let us step boldly into the stream of God’s refreshing! “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground…” — Isaiah 44:3