Revive The Dead Bones

I like reading about the major and minor prophets in the bible to see what types of life they had, learn about their characters, try to understand why the made the choices they made, and analyze what the Father accomplished in their lives. In reading about them, I can also imagine how rejected and lonely they may have felt, and how disappointed and discouraged they may have been in dealing with the people and situations around them. I understand that most of the prophecies of these major and minor prophets were related to the chosen nation Israel, their future, the Father dealings with them, the incoming Messiah and special warnings for the whole world. However, once again it was with great joy that I was reading and analyzing verses 1 to 14 of Ezekiel 37.

Although it was not the first time I was reading them, I decided to be more watchful and inquisitively read the verses to see their significance and implications for my life once again. Also, since I got quite excited in the spirit as I was reading the verses, I wanted to understand what the Lord was trying to speak to my heart and mind. The Word of God has this effect to expose my heart attitudes and teach me what I need to change.

Ezekiel states in verses 1 to 6, “The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. He led me around among the old, dry bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” “O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.” Then he said to me, “Speak to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to breathe into you and make you live again! I'll put flesh and muscles on you, and cover you with skin. I'll put breath into you, and you'll come to life. Then you'll know that I'm the Lord.'”

As we continue reading along, we can see in verses 8 to 14 that as Ezekiel spoke the Word of the Lord, the old dry bones that thought that all hope was gone, became live bodies, with flesh bones, skin and a new fresh spirit from the Lord. What captivated me the most was verse 11. The Lord stated that the people were saying, “We have become old, dry bones – all hope is gone.” What was going on in my mind was that the dry bones were not dead people per se. Figuratively speaking they were more dead spiritually since they were saying to themselves that there was no hope in their current situation. Are you also without hope?

As I read the verses, I can see that God questioned the prophet and awaited an answer from him. I can also see that the prophet speaking the Word of God will determine the outcome of the dry bones. Are you also in a situation where you think that all hope is gone? If yes, watch out for the words that will come out of your mouth! Remember that you should always choose God's Word, and not go by what you see, think and feel. Are you also ready to prophesy to the dead things in your lives and command them to live by the power of the Holy Spirit of God living in you?

Often we tend to think that God had already planned and determined all the outcomes for everything that goes on in our life. I am aware that because of all His attributes and omnipotence, He knows what will happen. But as we live our lives and make our choices, we determine the outcome of what we reap in life by what we sow, and by our standing on the Word of God. Otherwise, what will be the purpose of praying for change if Father has already decided on all things. What will be the purpose of praying if we don't think that prayers will make a difference?

Why do I think that we decide our own lives expectancies and not God the Father? I am fully confident of what I am writing about because, if it were for the loving God I serve, I know that there would not be any evil in this earth and in our lives, and everyone would be enjoying life to its fullest and in complete fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Everyone then will be saved! Personally, as I look at my life, I see so many things that could have brought in a different outcome if I had obeyed the Word of God. But since it is part of the past, and like the apostle Paul stated, forgetting those things that are behind, I chose to move on forward toward the higher calling for my life as Father reveals it.

It may sound disrespectful, but like Jesus did, I like referring to Christian people who complain continually and have so many negative personal issues, worldly people, close-minded, legalistic, pharisaic people with religious spirit, and anyone who are not following the Word of God, not following His ways and living in sins or compromises as the living dead, the walking dead, or dead bones (Matthew 23:27). It does not matter that the people are religious or not, Christians or non-Christians. In my own life, I often identify areas that need strengthening or overhaul. I often had seen sin attitudes, that I thought dead, wanting to creep back and reminding me of when I was dead in trespasses and sins. When my actions and thoughts do not agree with Father's ways, I often have to go to the throne of grace asking Him to please revive my dead bones. I consider anything in my life contradictory with the Light, the Word of God, Jesus' ways and that hinders fellowship with the Father as dead bones areas to make whole again.

For example, when I am yelling at my children hoping they will feel guilty for not wanting to help me with a chore, or do what I want, I know I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I try to manipulate my spouse to do what I want, or ignore him deliberately, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I did not take a stand on an issue to gain men's approval, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I want to pass for a humble person, and I know that I have to come to terms with my own pride, hypocrisy and prejudice, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I tend to criticize, gossip, slander and show lack of love, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones.

When I ignore my time with you, Father, in order to pay more attention to worldly and insignificant things, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I allow fear, doubt and insecurity to lead me to discouragement, and I don't trust the Father's promises for me, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I ignore a need deliberately saying “Am I my brother's keeper,” I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I pat myself in the back for something good I have done without giving Father the credit, although I am aware that all good things, deeds or thoughts, come from Him, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I feel too self-dependent, self-assured and am too self-centered, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. When I want to put down this cross I have to carry and take the easy way out, I need Jesus to revive the dead bones. Do you also need the Lord to revive your dead bones?

Father says that the kingdom of God is within us. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). What kingdom are you advocating? Are you really reflecting the light, and are you the salt of the earth Father created you to be? What do you see when you look at your life? Is there any power? Are you reflecting the fruit of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in all circumstances? Or do you see the manifestation of dead bones attributes such as those outlined in Titus 3 verse 3 that go, “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”

Would you like to live like Jesus when He was on earth? Would you prefer living like the first Christians, who despite persecutions leading often to death, were filled of the Holy Spirit and the power of God? Would you like to be fully and completely surrendered to the Holy Spirit God so He can manifest His power in your life to heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out devils and set captives free? I do! Why are we such a poor reflection of the light of God in this end time? Why do we see this lack of power in our lives? I am often asking myself, why don't I see fully the promises of God manifested in my life as He says they should be?

You may resent what I am saying, but as long as you are in this flesh decaying day by day physically, you are also a dry bone, especially more so when you do not have Jesus in your life. You need Jesus and His Holy Spirit in your life to have eternal life and manifest the fruit of the Spirit. We read in Titus 3 verses 4 to 7 that we were saved by the mercy of God manifested through the kindness and love of God in Jesus Christ, our Savior, who appeared on this earth to die for us on the cross. Romans 4:17 states that the Father “gives life to the dead, and calls those things that are not as through they were.” You need to be born of the Spirit and be daily led by the Spirit of the living God to be able to consider yourself alive in Him, and one day expect to have the new resurrected body similar to the one Jesus has. Only in Jesus will the dead bones live again!

May these words of the psalmists be our comfort as we cry out to God, “Revive me according to your Word; Revive me in Your ways; Revive me through Your righteousness; Revive me, Oh Lord, according to Your ordinances; Revive me, Oh Lord, according to your lovingkindness (Psalm 119:25, 37, 40, 88, 149, 156, 159).” Also let's remember these words from Ephesians 5:14 that go, “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

Romans 15:13 states, “May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As I accept the righteousness of Jesus for my life and His work on the cross for me, I am asking again, “Father breathe on me fresh and new again, be at home in your temple and take complete control. I say, Jesus fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit and make all crooked ways straight. Revive again the fire of your Spirit in my dead bones and make me wholly yours!” In so doing, I know that the Father's will for my life shall be done in earth as declared in heaven, because you are the one living your life in me as I fully surrender to you.

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 1 Jan '08