| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Deep discipleship” Our Bible verse for today: “This is what the Lord God says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live. I will put tendons on you, make flesh grow on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you so that you come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:5-6 (CSB) Our thought for today: “God restores life to dry bones” The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel had a tough task. Judah had been conquered by the Babylonians, Jerusalem was destroyed, and along with 10,000 others, Ezekiel had been taken to live as a captive in Babylonia. He was then tasked by God to be a minister to the exiles, but also to be a prophetic voice of hope. God would restore Israel, if they would return to Him. To provide a dramatic illustration of that promise, in chapter thirty-seven we read of the time when God led Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones. There had evidently been a great military battle in the valley and lots of corpses were left to rot in the open. Now the valley was filled with dry bones. God then asked Ezekiel if he thought it was possible for life to be restored to the bodies the bones had come from. Ezekiel affirmed that God could do it if He wanted to. And so, God did. The rest of the passage records the scene as the bones came together with a great rattling noise; tendons and sinews formed; bodies took shape; features appeared; and then the breath of life was breathed into each body. Finally, there was a mighty army of living people standing in the valley when moments before, there was only dry bones. The scene illustrates the great truth that God can restore life to that which is dead. Not only is that true physically, but even more so spiritually. God can and will take the dry bones of our souls and breathe fresh life into them if we will just return to Him. I love stories of revival and renewal. Spiritual revival has happened on a large scale in the USA on multiple occasions in our history. More commonly, we read of revival happening in regions of the country, or on college campuses. Often, we hear of individual churches that experience great revival and a church that was once mostly dry bones, becomes alive, thriving, and dynamic once again. It can and does happen! But more common are the revivals that take place in individual hearts as we see lukewarm or wayward Christians suddenly come alive in their faith. They are renewed with new passion and enthusiasm. As a pastor, those are the examples that are nearest and dearest to my heart. Especially if they are people I know and love and have been ministering to for years. If you are feeling spiritually dry, lukewarm, bored, or lacking passion and enthusiasm, God will breathe new life into the dry bones of your faith if you want Him to. A renewed commitment to deep discipleship is the answer. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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