Ten years ago there seemed to be a theme passage in the Church. Never before had I really focused on a certain passage of Scripture, but then it was in conference talks, sermons, worship songs, etc. Ezekiel 37’s valley of dry bones burst onto the scene bringing excitement, hope and many anthems to the Church. But time passes and “fads” fade. Whatever happened to that valley?
I happen to think that we forgot about it. We watched God do incredible things, but then life happened, COVID hit, roles changed and we forgot- I know I did.
But just this week I attended a prayer night and was sharing with a friend how this season of ministry and life has just felt dry. It’s felt like a desert that the Church has been pushing through- praying for water, but seemingly coming up short so often. We’d get a sip here and there, but dang these years have been dry. Do you feel it?
As we were talking, she said, “You know, this reminds me of the Valley of Dry Bones.” Those words hit my heart like an arrow piercing through an apple. Right to my core I felt the penetration of her words, the significance behind them and the weight of forgetting. I had been seeking refreshment in the form of a good weekend service, a large event attendance, positive feedback from colleagues or even an emotional high from a single good quiet time. I was missing the reality that water does no good for bones that are dry and separated. I think of Pirates of the Caribbean- when the moonlight hits, nothing satisfies. We (at least I) have been bones seeking refreshing rather than restoration. We have been putting bandaids where we need stitches.
Ten years ago I moved home because I felt God calling me to minister to a valley of dry bones. I poured into students, leaders and eventually the church. We saw amazing things happen in the name of Jesus. We saw students essentially come back to life and it was an incredible season.
Yet I find myself here again, feeling dry, but not out of hope. Because I feel that the Lord is again calling me to speak over the valley and remind them of His presence, His life, His breath and His power. So, as Ezekiel did, I will speak freedom in the name of Jesus whenever and wherever I have the opportunity.
We must remember the promises of His presence, provision, restoration and life. God is longing to breathe into us once again- regardless of the valley we may be in and how dry, cracked or broken our bones feel- He longs to breathe and raise up an army of His people to carry out the mission to which we have been commissioned.
Ezekiel 37:1-14
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by his Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me all around them. There were a great many of them on the surface of the valley, and they were very dry. 3 Then he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I replied, “Lord God, only you know.”
4 He said to me, “Prophesy concerning these bones and say to them: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Lord God says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, and you will live. 6 I will put tendons on you, make flesh grow on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you so that you come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”
7 So I prophesied as I had been commanded. While I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 As I looked, tendons appeared on them, flesh grew, and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. 9 He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath,[a] prophesy, son of man. Say to it: This is what the Lord God says: Breath, come from the four winds and breathe into these slain so that they may live!” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me; the breath entered them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, a vast army.
11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Look how they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore, prophesy and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says: I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them, my people, and lead you into the land of Israel. 13 You will know that I am the Lord, my people, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 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 am the Lord. I have spoken, and I will do it. This is the declaration of the Lord.’”