“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.’” – Ezekiel 37:4-5
In this vision, God reveals to Ezekiel, and us, that there’s nothing so far gone that He can’t bring it back to life. In a valley filled with the dried out bones of a long-dead army, God offers a vision of restoration that should encourage every Christian. God emphasizes that He specializes in bringing dead things back to life. Just as He raised His Son Jesus to life after His death on the cross, God is a life-giver with resurrection power.
God can bring healing and renewal to a nation, a community, a church, a family, a friendship, or a spiritual life that any human expert would declare to be hopelessly dead. How does God do that? That same way we see in this vision – through the preaching of His word and the power of His Spirit! God commanded Ezekiel to speak His word over the dry bones. Through His Word, God restored the skeletons to flesh and blood. Through His Spirit, God breathed life back into the bones. This vision was given to illustrate how God breathes life back into people and situations that seem completely hopeless: through the Word and the Spirit.
Never, ever underestimate the power of those two things! In your own life, in your circle of influence, and in this fallen world. When things seem dark and hopeless, pray, proclaim God’s Word, and depend on the Holy Spirit. In your home. In your workplace. In your church. In your community. In your country. #FollowJesus