Our God is in the Business of Breathing Life Into Dead Things!

"The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" Ezekiel 37:1-3a

As we all know, so many times it can be easy for our spiritual lives to "dry up". A couple of weeks ago my Dad preached a sermon about this type of thing, as an encouragement not to become a lifeless, dry, dead bone! :) (He actually brought a bone he found out in the pasture that he trips over each time he feeds the chickens to use as an example! He felt like that was confirmation that the Lord wanted him to speak on this topic!) Anyway, he mentioned how many times we find ourselves becoming discouraged and downhearted by our daily "duties", tasks, or things we know we need to get accomplished but we just don't feel the desire to do it, which then has a major effect on our spiritual lives and relationships with the Lord. We may begin feeling like "we just have to" as opposed to "I want to" in a lot of situations. He quoted the verse in Psalm 51:12b which says, "Sustain me with a willing spirit." What a wonderful prayer we can pray! That the Lord would sustain us with willing spirits to accomplish His purposes through us. So many times in the Bible examples are given where God breathes life back into something lifeless. There are at least 10 examples of resurrections in Scripture, some including Lazarus, Jairus' daughter, and Jesus, of course! Though, there are many more. It's amazing that God chooses to use us to help accomplish His will. It's not in our own strength or capabilities that we can boast, because it is God's strength in us that helps to fulfill His mighty plan. The children's lesson at church tonight was on "Be Still and Know That I am Your Strength--a Way to Accomplish God's Will". That's really an awesome realization! When we're feeling upset, discouraged, or just plain lifeless, we can call on the Lord to comfort and protect us. He will strengthen us in ways we never thought possible. And it's all for His glorification! So... when you're feeling alone, depressed, or "burnt out" in life or a certain area in your life, be sure to seek the Lord and pray for His strength to be made perfect in you. He is a faithful God! And secondly, you may ask yourself this question: Can these bones live? I pray you will find this answer:

"The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.”’” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. 9 Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”’” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army. 11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. 13 Then you shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. 14 I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it,” says the LORD.’” Ezekiel 37:3b-14

(I can't help but notice that God chose to use the man to prophesy to these bones, in a situation where He was fully able of handling it all on His own. Just remember, He takes pleasure in using His servants! May we be filled with willing spirits!)