When Death Becomes Life
Hope Discovery of the Day:
Even when we are surrounded by the dry bones of life’s harsh realities, God can breathe new life again.
Scriptures of the Day:
Ezekiel 37:1-10, 23, 27-28
“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and placed me in the midst of the valley, and it was full of bones. 2 He made me walk all around among them. I realized there were a great many bones in the valley and they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said to him, “Sovereign Lord, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and tell them: ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 This is what the sovereign Lord says to these bones: Look, I am about to infuse breath into you and you will live. 6 I will put tendons on you and muscles over you and will cover you with skin; I will put breath in you and you will live. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. There was a sound when I prophesied—I heard a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 As I watched, I saw tendons on them, then muscles appeared, and skin covered over them from above, but there was no breath in them. 9 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath,—prophesy, son of man—and say to the breath: ‘This is what the sovereign Lord says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these corpses so that they may live.’” 10 So I prophesied as I was commanded, and the breath came into them; they lived and stood on their feet, an extremely great army. 23 They will not defile themselves with their idols, their detestable things, and all their rebellious deeds. I will save them from all their unfaithfulness by which they sinned. I will purify them; they will become my people and I will become their God. 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 Then, when my sanctuary is among them forever, the nations will know that I, the Lord, sanctify Israel.’”
What a scene it must have been in the valley of dry bones. Nothing but death surrounding him, yet God spoke through Ezekiel and a mighty army was brought back to life. What a God. Like those dead, dry bones in the valley, we were all dead in our sins. He knew we could not meet His righteousness on our own. So He made a way. He became our righteousness and brought life back to us – new life to these dry bones.
Feeling dry? Ever felt like there was no hope of things turning around? Looking at the landscape around us, it might be tempting to focus on the obvious without seeing the spiritual reality at work, too. God is in the business of taking the impossible, the times when it seems our hope is over – and turning it into a divine moment of His redemption.
He wants to save us from our unrighteousness so we can be set free to live for Him – the original intention – to know Him and enjoy Him as our great God. It is so very difficult to live in this fallen world and keep this perspective. But God. He interrupts the inevitable with His magnificent sovereignty. None of His plans are thwarted. Even when it seems we have taken a detour or like the enemy has defeated us. Even then, God is at work and takes our brokenness and heals us.
Come and have your thirst quenched today by our great God. He can bring a refreshing into whatever situation we might be in. Even when we are surrounded by the dry bones of life’s reality, God can breathe new life again. What seems like an end might just be a new beginning.
God, thank You that You are a redemptive God. You do not leave us in our sin, but take our sin upon Yourself so we can live abundant lives. You are forever faithful. Help us to live worthy lives all for Your glory!
