I realize that the Christmas season is near, so I should probably write something appropriate for the holidays. But I read some interesting things from Ezekiel that I felt led to share with you.
EZEKIEL was a prophet during some of Israel's most difficult days. The nation was under siege from the Babylonian army. God was using Nebuchadnezzar to bring judgment against all the wicked nations in the Middle East region. Israel, for all her idolatry, was included in this whole sweep of countries carried off into slavery to Babylon. But make no mistake, Nebuchadnezzar was just as wicked as everyone else, it is just that God used him and his army for His own purposes. God dealt with the Babylonians later through the Medes and the Persians.
THESE were dark days for the Israelites, and the prophets were being used by God to speak warnings to them about their evil ways. If you've ever read the prophecies of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, you know what I'm talking about. But this morning was a little different.
DURING devotions, I read Ezekiel 37, about the dry bones. God gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley floor covered in very dry bones. God asked Ezekiel if these dry bones could live. Ezekiel, in all his wisdom, said, "Sovereign Lord, You alone know." Ezekiel 37:3. What an excellent response to any question God might ask.
GOD spoke to Ezekiel and told him to prophesy to these bones to come to life. As he did, he stood in amazement. Bones started to rattle and come together. Tendons and flesh covered the bones, and a whole army of Israelites were formed in an instant by the power of God. But Ezekiel stated, "There was no breath in them." (Ezekiel 37:8). In other words, they came together, but there was still no life in them. Just a quick side note - no matter what we do in life, there will be no 'real life' without the Spirit of God in us. We can do, and go, and earn and buy, but without the Holy Spirit, we ourselves are just DRY BONES.
BACK to "no breath". God said to Ezekiel, prophesy to the breath and say, "...Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live." Ezekiel 37:9. As the breath of God entered them, they came to life.
THIS verse struck me, and I was stirred to pray over our church for the Spirit of God to breathe into us, into MYSELF and into YOU.
BUT God's stirring was not done - for I read these words a few moments later from Ezekiel 37:14, "I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord." Naturally, given the season we are in as a Church (waiting for the restoration of our building and finances), verses like this really grab my attention. I was especially taken by the words, "I will settle you in your own land." Even as I read this verse, I remember saying to the Lord, 'Don't play with me God'. Just the other morning I read in Psalm 119:116, "Sustain me, my God, according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed."
I know it's been a long season at the school, on the benches and without our home. For some of you, your hopes may have been dashed. I know I have faced my own disappointments over this period of time. But I must remind myself that God is in control of our lives and He has a plan for us. Maybe God has counted us worthy of facing injustice. Trust in Him and be encouraged, God will settle us.
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