The Hebrew prophet, Ezekiel, was catching visions of God’s glorious Spirit 600 plus years before Jesus was born. Even while exiled in Babylon, God reached out to His people and, while the message was often bleak, the book of Ezekiel ultimately offers a picture of redemption, a new covenant that will breathe new life into all God’s people. This is where we find ourselves in Ezekiel Chapter 37, a vision from God which paints an image of revival and restoration, literally bringing dry bones back to life.
I am in awe of God as the master artist, creating a tapestry that extends over generations and weaves His presence throughout multitudes of lives. More than that, what He shows us in the valley of dry bones requires collaboration: the Creator and the created working together to speak life! What a beautiful gift that God calls on the prophet to partner in revival.
This picture is layered and nuanced. It’s difficult to wrap one’s head around and, at first glance, seems rather macabre. I mean, who wants to hear dry bones rattle, really? My first impression is one of “ugh”. But God is always calling us deeper and asking us to take another look, just like he called Ezekiel so many thousands of years ago.
The beauty of the valley of dry bones is not just that people are being brought back to life. The beauty is in the promise of a new opportunity to continually partner with God in all His majesty. This story isn’t over yet, and we get to be a part of it, interwoven into God’s creation one breath at a time.
Today ask: Jesus, where are you breathing new life into my dry bones? Are there areas of my life that have become stagnant and require revival of the Spirit?
KA
About
-
Evangel Downtown