Ezekiel 32:1-16, 37:1-39:29
Ezekiel 37:10-12, “So I spoke the message as He commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army. Then He said to me, ‘Son of man, these bones represent the people of Israel. They are saying, “We have become old, dry bones—all hope is gone. Our nation is finished.” Therefore, prophesy to them and say, This is what the Sovereign Lord says: O my people, I will open your graves of exile and cause you to rise again. Then I will bring you back to the land of Israel.’”
Are you good with plants? Certain people are gifted with a green thumb, but even they, at times, have plants that seem dead as the leaves turn brown and fall off. Yet, most of us keep tending to dying plants because we hope that they’ll recover. As we notice signs of new life on the bare branches, it warms our hearts. Why? Why, then, are we so apt to throw in the towel when life situations seem hopeless? Why are we so quick to give in to doubt and negativity when there’s no foreseeable light at the end of the tunnel?
After the Babylonians conquered Judah, the Israelites were. But with God, there’s always hope! His Spirit took Ezekiel into a large valley covered in “dry” bones. God asked him, “Can these bones live?” And he replied, “Only you could know!” So, God told him to prophesy to them, and Ezekiel obeyed. Suddenly a loud clamor rippled through the valley. To his amazement, he watched as the bones attached as skeletons and then formed skin — but they still seemed lifeless (such as people that are alive physically but dead spiritually). So God told him to prophesy about breath, and as he did there before him, he saw a massive army. Wow! What a sight to behold! God then told him that they represented the rebirth and restoration of Israel that finally culminated in the 20th century!
Do you have any “old dry bones” in your life currently? A situation that seems hopeless with no end in sight? Think about it like this. Just as you would tend to a dying plant because you won’t give up hope that it’ll revive, place your trust in the giver and perfecter of hope — Jesus Christ. When all seems lost, He alone orchestrates rebirth, renewal, and life transformation. He IS the light at the end of every dark tunnel! God always has a plan and purpose. He uses hopeless situations to grow you and shape you into who He wants you to be — better, stronger, and more like Jesus. So, next time you get down and lack hope, refuse to give in and declare, “Yes, these bones can live!”
Dear Lord, Thank You for breathing new life into my heart through Jesus Christ. When I can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, I know that You are the giver and perfecter of hope when all seems lost. I trust in Your ability to make all things new. Amen.