From: November 18, 2024
‘And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord”‘ (Ezekiel 37:3-4 ESV).
The Lord gave the prophet Ezekiel a spiritual vision of a valley filled with dry bones. When we see bones, we assume life is long past being possible. But Ezekiel had learned something about God: Nothing is ever too dead for God to give it life. So, Ezekiel preached to the bones and the bones took on flesh and came to life!
The vision of dry bones was a prophecy concerning Israel and its future resurrection and restoration. Though Babylon had utterly destroyed Israel and carried its people into exile, God revealed to Ezekiel that one day He would raise it up again and restore it to the land. Indeed, this prophecy was partially fulfilled some 70 years later when the Jews returned to their land under King Cyrus of Persia. Yet the prophecy’s complete fulfillment is still in the future.
How might we apply this Scripture? An immediate application might be to see that what God says will happen, will happen! His Word is true! Another application might be to recognize that the Word still brings life to dry bones. For it is the Word proclaimed and believed that changes the spiritually dead to born again children of God.
Can dry bones live again? Absolutely! No one is beyond God’s resurrecting and reviving power.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for making our dry bones life. For we were dead in our sins, but You have made us alive in Christ Jesus. Now strengthen us this day to proclaim Your Word to those who are spiritually dead that they might be born again to life in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 18, 2023
“My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?” (James 2:1 NLT).
The apostle James wrote that believers should not show partiality to some over others. He especially had in mind those who were favoring the rich over the poor. He said that showing favoritism exposed not only their evil motives, it was actually committing sin.
This instruction continues to have great relevance for the Church. The Gospel is the great equalizer of us all. For it proclaims that we are all sinners in need of a Savior. Yet at the same time, it offers salvation to all who would believe. As the children’s song declares, “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.”
Far from showing partiality because of race, gender, or socio-economic status, we must welcome everyone. May our invitation always be, “Come as you are and be forever changed by the love of Jesus!”
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that have welcomed us into Your family. We repent of the partiality that we often show. Help us to love others, especially those who are the least of these, as You have loved us. We want to be marked by Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: November 18, 2022
THE AMAZING PROMISE OF RESURRECTION
Ezekiel was called to prophesy to the Jewish exiles in Babylon and those scattered throughout the nations. This was a time when Israel had ceased to exist as a nation. In the national sense, it was dead. So, this resurrection prophecy might first be considered symbolic of a day when the nation of Israel would be reconstituted and restored. In the symbolic sense, this prophecy has been fulfilled. For in May 1948, Israel was declared a nation. Can you think of a nation that was dead for 2,000 years and then reborn? I can think of only one. Israel.
Yet, we believe that this prophecy given to Ezekiel is also to be taken in the literal sense. As Jesus said, “For the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” (John 5:28-29).
Resurrection is at the heart of Christianity. For Jesus raised Lazarus after his body lay in the tomb for four days, saying, “Come forth!” And Lazarus came forth. Even more, Jesus Himself was raised on the third day to show His power over sin, death and the grave. Therefore, it is no leap of faith to believe that the One who has been raised, will one Day say to us, “Come forth!” And we will also be raised.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we look forward to the Day when our faith shall become sight. We have placed our faith in the Resurrected One, Jesus Christ and Your promised Word of our resurrection. We live in this hope, knowing that You are able. Therefore, we tell others. Open up eyes and hearts as we share the good news of Jesus and His promise of eternal life. In His name we pray, amen.
From: November 18, 2015
When we see bones, we assume life is long past being possible. But Ezekiel had learned something about God: Nothing is ever too dead for God to give it life. So, Ezekiel preached to the bones and the bones took on flesh and came to life! The Word still brings life to dry bones. It is the Word proclaimed and believed that changes the walking dead to spiritually alive children of God.
From: November 18, 2014
Not just hearers only, but doers of the Word. Many enjoy a good sermon and think how good it is that the person next to them is getting it. Yet a few will hear the Word and repent in tears, not worrying about those around them. Don’t let the Word go in one ear and out the other. Do what it says.