Repent therefore, and turn back that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord….”
Acts 3:19
While we, the church, look for Revival to occur within our houses, renewal, the ‘time of refreshing,’ comes from the foundation of repentance. Peter, of course, speaks here about the new birth that Jesus had explained to Nicodemus in John 3.
Let’s look at this word refreshing, from HELPS Word Studies ~
Helps Lexicon/NASEC dictionary : Cognate: 403 anápsyksis – properly, breathe easily (again); hence, refreshing; "'cooling,' or 'reviving with fresh air'" (WS, 230), used only in Ac 3:20. See 404 (anapsýxō).
404 anapsýxō (from 303/aná, "up/completing a process" which intensifies 5594/psýxō, "cool by blowing") – properly, bring cooling (reviving, with fresh air); (figuratively) bring much-needed (much-welcomed) relief, "causing someone to recover a state of cheer or encouragement after a time of anxiety and trouble – 'to encourage, to cheer up'" (L & N, 1, 25.149).
404/anapsyxō ("refreshed"), only used in 2 Tim 1:16, refers to the spiritual refreshing (rejuvenation, comfort) brought to Paul by the ministry of Onesiphorus. This refreshing (relieving) revived Paul and involved a process (note the ana), i.e. getting past the restrictions imposed on Paul (being in "chains," imprisoned).
Now, let’s define repentance from HELPS Word-studies ~
Word Origin: From the Greek verb μετανοέω (metanoeō), meaning "to change one's mind" or "to repent."
‘ “Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, "metanoia" was understood as a change of mind or perspective. However, in the Jewish and early Christian context, it took on a deeper spiritual significance. Repentance was not merely an intellectual exercise but a profound moral and spiritual transformation. It was a central theme in the preaching of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles, emphasizing the need for a radical reorientation of one's life towards God.’
Our verse highlights all three thoughts: A Repentance that Returns and brings Refreshing.
God's highest and best is to rain vitality upon us daily. A life lived in such abandonment to Him that His will is our daily bread assures us of this ‘time of refreshing’. Jesus asks, ‘Are you weary and heavy laden? Are you worn out?’ Jesus, as the good shepherd, invites us to come to Him that he may restore our souls. When weary and heavy laden, I find it interesting that I’m not usually as physically tired as I am emotionally (soulishly) spent. Paul said in 1 Corinthians, most gladly I will spend and be spent. 'Burnout' looks for an escape from responsibilities, eventually both from God and others.
God’s remedy is to come to Him. Only He can give green pastures, quiet waters to restore a soul. While we know we are not to be weary in well doing, there are seasons in our lives where busyness reigns over our times. It’s the busyness, apart from God, that drains us.
Jesus calls his disciples to be with Him. Our work is to be done in Him, with Him, and from Him. We never grow beyond the need to examine our hearts and when our lives are out of order, repentance is necessary for times of refreshing.