Reviving Dry Bones: Trusting God With Your Future
The Old Testament is an area that most believers have little experience with. There could be many reasons why, but let me tell you, the Old Testament is foundational for the New Testament. Either is incomplete without the other.
Today, we’re going to explore a vision that Ezekiel had. One where God showed him an amazing scene of what the future held for the Jews. Something so awesome that only God could have done it. Even though this was before the days of CGI, where you could create armies of people on screen and, with a little programming, make them do whatever you wanted - it does read like a scene from a blockbuster film.
Let’s take a look.
Ezekiel 37:1 (ESV) - The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones.
We can tell this was a vision from God because Ezekiel says, “he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord.” Chapters 1-33 are mainly about Ezekiel warning the people about their disobedience and the impending destruction. Ezekiel was proved right, even though he probably wasn’t happy to be right in telling the people that God would judge Israel and that Jerusalem would be captured.
One thing we know about God is that He doesn’t hide the difficulties we will face. You will have problems, the world will hate you, and you will be persecuted. Sin has consequences, and we often cannot escape the trials that come from our disobedience.
Ezekiel 37:2-3 (ESV) - And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.”
Bodies left out in the sun to waste away and become a pile of bones was not something the Jews did. They considered it dishonoring to leave a person to waste away. Typically, you would see the body wrapped in burial cloths and spices applied. Then they would be buried or laid to rest in a tomb. Leaving the bodies out to waste away was disgraceful.
After seeing this valley full of bones, God asked a question that would challenge Ezekiel’s faith.
Can these bones live?
If I were looking at skeletons in a pile on the valley floor, I would think the body was too far gone. When a person dies, you hold out hope that they can be revived, but for a person who’s been reduced to bones that have been in the sun for a long time, you don’t have as much hope that these bones can live again.
Ezekiel’s response makes sense, “Lord, I don’t know, but you know.” I take this to mean, “God, I have no idea and no concept for this, but you do.”
Giving Up
Isn’t it just easier to give up? Walking away from something or someone is just easier than it should be. I loved playing basketball in middle school, but I wasn’t as coordinated as the others. When my 9th grade season ended, I decided not to pursue playing basketball in future grades. A few of my teammates hoped for college scholarships and future advancement, and they may have gone to compete in leagues that would offer them that opportunity.
I, however, saw the kind of work needed to become competitive, and I knew in my heart that I didn’t find the kind of joy that others did when I played. Walking away was easy.
Conversely, I have a huge heart for music, and while I don’t consider myself in the leagues of professional singers and recording artists, I find much joy in singing and playing music. When something comes up that I want to learn, I find people and resources to teach me, and I put in the time and effort to learn.
It didn’t start that way, I was told at a young age that I would never hear pitch correctly due to an imbalance in hearing, and while that is true some of the time, I’ve found ways to improve my ability to take in my surroundings, and effectively lead.
Time and time again, I’ve seen God take dry bones in my life and slowly bring them back to life. Things that I thought were dead and gone.
The Catalyst For Change
Ezekiel's response put the dry bones' future back in God's hands.
What made the difference for me?
Releasing those things that I wanted to God. Giving Him control over items I wanted but was unprepared for or the season wasn’t right. It was hard. Because of my personality, I’m always wanting to improve. Giving God control of what I wanted meant that I was in a season of waiting and no longer pushing those things forward.
What is it that you want from God?
So many times, we chose to walk away from:
Our Purpose
Relationships
Responsibilities
Opportunities
What can we do to put these things in God’s hands? While we may not be able to affect the outcome, there are three main things we can do to put these things squarely in God’s hands.
Trust and surrender: The first key point is like opening your heart's door and saying, "Lord, I trust You with my future." It's understanding that God's plans far surpass our own, and when we surrender our desires to Him, we make room for His divine guidance. Just as in Ezekiel 37, where dry bones come to life through God's breath, our futures can flourish when we trust His sovereign hand. It's about letting go of our need for control and letting God's wisdom and love lead the way.
Prayer and Faith: Picture this as a heartfelt conversation with a dear friend. It's about praying to God, sharing your hopes and fears, seeking His wisdom, and trusting that He hears and responds. Like Ezekiel's faith in God's power, deepening your faith means believing in His guidance, even when you can't see the whole path. It's like walking through a foggy forest with the assurance that God is the guiding light leading you forward.
Serve and Persevere: Imagine this as running a marathon. Serving others is like helping fellow runners, lifting their spirits as you run together. Staying patient and persistent is the endurance needed to reach the finish line. In the same way, life's challenges may feel like hurdles, but by staying committed and serving others, you press on toward the future God has in store, just as Ezekiel's persistence led to a miraculous outcome.
Final Thoughts
As we journey through life, we encounter valleys filled with dry bones, moments when hope seems distant, and dreams appear shattered. Yet, the story of Ezekiel's vision reminds us that God's power and grace can breathe life into the seemingly lifeless in our most challenging moments.
We can entrust our futures to the same God who revived the dry bones in our lives. Let us take a step of faith, releasing our desires and ambitions and embracing the divine guidance that only God can provide.
We embrace the transformative power of surrender, faith, and perseverance. We allow God to work miracles in our stories, bringing hope to the areas we thought were lost. The dry bones in our lives can testify to His unfailing love and His ability to bring forth life from the most unlikely circumstances. So, with open hearts and unwavering faith, let us journey forward, knowing that God's plan for our future is far more remarkable than we could ever imagine.