Dry Bones Faith

My Bible reading this morning was chapter 37 of Ezekiel, where God takes Ezekiel to the middle of a valley filled with “dry bones.”

Evidently, they had been there a while because Ezekiel notes that they are “very dry.” Then God asks him:

“Son of man, can these bones live?”

The thought that popped into my head was “No,” even though I have read this account dozens of times.

How often do we do that? We look at our current circumstances and say “No” to God. We are frustrated and discouraged and we think:

My marriage is never going to get better.

My child is never going to return.

My illness is terminal.

My friend will never believe.

Ezekiel replied the way I would like to answer God’s question:

“O Sovereign Lord, You alone know.”

Following Ezekiel’s repsonse, God told him to command the bones to come to life. I love the next verses. God reconnects bones, rebuilds tendons and muscles, and covers them with flesh, but He does not bring the bodies to life immediately. He waits and then breathes the breath of life into them.

With God, all things are possible. With God, there is always hope. He is the One who breathes life-giving hope into His people.

When we are without hope, God covers us with His words of encouragement and reminds us of His love.

Sometimes we have to watch and wait. Sometimes things begin to improve, but the wait continues. Sometimes hope is difficult to maintain.

Are you discouraged? Are you questioning God’s love? Do your circumstances seem impossible? Trust your heavenly Father. Trust the words of Jesus:

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

10 Responses to Dry Bones Faith
  1. Barbie
    July 29, 2010 | 11:32 pm

    Oh this is so good. I love the story of the dry bones coming to life. It’s stories like that that help me to realize what a mighty and powerful God we serve and that nothing is impossible with Him.

  2. wiona
    July 30, 2010 | 2:47 am

    thankyou soooo much for this, this morning. I was feeling so sorry for myself and wondering why God wasn’t helping me, my baby no.5 won’t sleep through the night(she just turned 1)my husband is suffering from extremely bad pollops and severe headaches, awaiting an op. And I seem to have no patience with anyone due to lack of sleep. Your entry made me realise that God has a plan for ALL of us and will never give us anymore to cope with than we can handle at any one time no matter what we think. Thankyou for this and I have now added you to my favourites, because we all need inspiration in our lives. Thankyou.

    • Deb
      July 30, 2010 | 11:30 am

      Wiona, You are going through a difficult time. I am so sorry. Please know that I am praying for you and your family. Please keep in touch and let us know how you all are doing. I am the moderator for a prayer ministry: http://pray4you.org Please feel free to go there and leave your prayer needs. I send them out to a team of 20+ pray-ers. In all we are blessed to have more than 150 pray-ers around the world. God is faithful to lift us up to lift up one another. God bless you dear sister in Christ.

      • wiona
        July 30, 2010 | 2:55 pm

        Many thanks. After I had left the message I did manage a “little” more patience today! Thankyou for your prayers they are very much appreciated. Some say patience is a virtue but I believe it is something we learn from everyday situations God places us in. His way of teaching us so that is sticks with us! Again thankyou and I will be remembering you in my prayers tonight.x

        • Deb
          July 30, 2010 | 3:05 pm

          You are very welcome Wiona, I’m glad you are doing a little better today. You are right about patience. I used to pray for more when my children were little. Whew, I definitely developed more patience – the hard way!! 🙂 I also agree that lessons learned through difficult experiences are the ones we remember. Thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement.

  3. Deb
    July 30, 2010 | 9:45 am

    Thanks Barbie, This account certainly encourages me with strength and hope. That’s why I was surprised when my mind first answered “no” to the Lord’s question. I must have really needed His gentle reminder, and I am thankful that He is faithful to give it.

  4. connie
    July 30, 2010 | 12:23 pm

    This is sooo…awesome. There was a minister who just visited the church i attend preaching this passage of scripture.Awesome how God confirms His word through His people. Thank you for letting God use you!

  5. Deb
    August 6, 2010 | 4:03 pm

    Thank you Connie, I am blessed by your kind words of encouragement.

  6. Shay
    August 7, 2010 | 10:16 am

    Thank you for posting this – I really needed this reminder in my email inbox the other day.

  7. Deb
    August 10, 2010 | 1:45 pm

    I am so thankful you were blessed Shay!