Dry Bones

 

I slept among the dead, laid scattered in the valley of dry bones, tossed by wind, scorched and bleached by the sun. The valley grave was filled with so many bones and we were very dry.[1]  We were laid waste in the wilderness, unable to progress, falling deeper into unbelief. Divided kingdoms, divided nations, divided minds. A valley of despair, absent of hope.

We had walked in miracles but our eyes were closed. We had walked through the sea, between walls of water, and remained dry. Each morning we received God’s provision outside our tents; and though we ate it, we were not filled. We did not receive Your Good Spirit who instructed us[2] nor did we eat that which proceed out of the mouth of the Lord.[3] We drank the water You gave us but only allowed it to quench our thirst.[4] We remained dry and faithless. You clothed us like the lilies of the field[5] but we ignored the provision and worried for tomorrow.[6] We sought naught Your Kingdom nor Your righteousness[7] and scattered our faith to the four corners of the earth.[8] The punishment for our iniquity rested on our bones[9].

“O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.”[10] Tired of the silence of the grave, I listened, and the words continued to be spoken over me. “Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the Lord.[11]” I then heard noise from within me and all around me and I began to shake and rattle as my bones came together, bone to its bone.[12] And I looked, and behold sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in me.[13] “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”[14] I received breath and life and stood on my feet and I became an exceedingly great army.[15]

It was then that I understood our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.[16] My faith came through hearing the words of the Lord. Through faith, I was resurrected from my grave. In my place, I left behind hopelessness, despair and fear. I then took up the full armor of God, girding my loins with truth and wore the breastplate of righteousness. The shoes on my feet were designed for the preparation of the gospel of peace. I took up the shield of faith which holds the power to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Upon my head, the helmet of salvation, and at my side, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.[17] I served in the army of peace and lived with incorruptible love.[18]

 

[1] Ezekiel 37:2

[2] Nehemiah 9:20

[3] Deuteronomy 8:3

[4] Nehemiah 9:20

[5] Matthew 6:27

[6] Matthew 6:30

[7] Matthew 6:32

[8] Isaiah 11:12

[9] Ezekiel 32:27

[10] Ezekiel 37:4

[11] Ezekiel 37:5

[12] Ezekiel 37:5

[13] Ezekiel

[14] Ezekiel 37:9

[15] Ezekiel 37:10

[16] Ephesians 6:12

[17] Ephesians 6:14

[18] Ephesians 6:24