Dem Dry Bones
Ezekiel 37: 1-3
1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones.
2 Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry.
3 And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”
I don’t know what your beliefs about dreams are, so if you don’t accept the idea of God communicating through dreams, you probably want to stop reading now and come back next week.
Still with me? Let me tell you of a dream I had recently and what the Lord has been impressing on me. I was walking into the small church I currently attend and saw the church empty but the floor was scattered with bones. And then I saw the message displayed for me that Ezekiel received in the valley – “can these bones live?” I was about to answer when I woke up. My first feeling was that it was about the church and how it was all but closed last year and now the Spirit of God has been bringing life back to the church. We have a pastor who loves the Lord and loves people and is preaching the Word. So I felt that was the end of the meaning of the dream. And while I do believe what I saw does have meaning in our church’s situation, I also believe there is more meaning to the dream.
As I have been reading this week I’ve found references of revivals and the background behind some of them. The more I read, the more I’m reminded of the valley of the dry bones in Ezekiel. The first application of the vision was to tell Ezekiel his people, Israel, would have a national revival. Their nation would be overthrown and the people scattered but they would be brought back and restored as a nation. There was also a spiritual aspect to the vision, a promise that the people would experience a spiritual restoration. This last has still not come to pass, but will in the future. The nation of Israel will call upon God once again.
I believe strongly that churches can and should pray for revival. I believe that if you humble yourselves and pray that God will pour out His Spirit on your church you will experience revival. But is there more to this? Yes, there is a personal aspect to this as well. In my dream I saw dry bones in the church and feel God is asking if we believe the church can be revived. And I say, “O Lord God, You know!” I’m willing to have revival in the church and wish all churches would experience revival. Lord God you know how desperately wicked our nation is and how much we need You to pour out Your Spirit.
But also I feel God was calling to me and asking if my life can be revived. Can my dry bones be brought back to life? In other words, am I ready to ask for revival in myself? No church can experience revival until its members experience personal revival. Personal revival can upset your life. Jesus wants your life, and not just a little, but all the way. Am I willing to do that? I’ve been making a list and, frankly, I find it frightening and not a little intimidating.
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin in my life.
Refuse to obey my carnal (worldly) nature.
Seek forgiveness from any I have offended, and forgive any who have hurt me.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guard my walk against complacency and mediocrity.
Examine my motives in every word and deed.
Ask the Lord to search and cleanse my heart daily.
Praise and give thanks to God continually in all ways regardless of circumstances.
Read, study, meditate on, and memorize God's Word.
Pray without ceasing.
Fast and pray.
Hunger and thirst after righteousness.
Love God with all of my heart, soul, and mind.
Seek to share Christ daily to at least one person.
Develop utter dependence on Him and submit to Him in humility.
Determine to live a holy, Godly life of faith.
And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”
And He does know. But am I willing?
Stephen Cram September 15, 2013
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, following the tradition of men according to the rudiments of the world, and not in accordance with Christ. Colossians 2:8
Visit my pastor’s blog at http://pastorjonrhinehart.blogspot.com/.
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