Real change in Dry Bones.

I have seen many posts about the fact that after this crisis is over, that as humans we have the opportunity to come into a new, fresh clean world, and hopefully as humans be more sensitive, caring, loving, and learn great lessons about what is more important in life etc. However great as these aspirations are, I tend to think they are unrealistic. Given the condition of the human heart. It is full of wickedness, greed, strife and not surrendered, and still only looks after number One, and doing our own thing. All of this will stick around, unless there is a change of heart, and this can only take please if God moves, the hearts of men and brings revival. 

In order for this to happen, His body, bride, church, or army needs to rise and take its place. 

Enter the scene of Ezekiel 37: 1-14 

.....God asks the question can these dead bones live? 

The response Only God knows...The instruction is to prophecy to the dead bones, life, breath etc. If this was ever required, it is in such a time as right now. 

I have asked before and will ask again for friends to join in prayer, to speak to the four winds, to speak (prophecy) first to the church (dead or sleeping) that the bones are joined, that sinew, muscle flesh and skin, and finally the breath of God to raise up the army, to pray and bring Jesus into the forefront and bring revival to this nation and beyond.

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 

It's only by the Spirit of God that we can see , HE is the initiator of what we see, hear or do. He opens our sences. What I am trying to share is what he revealed to me, what is he showing to you?

He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 

Often we are to busy and preoccupied to notice until God leads and shows us what he wants us to see or hear etc.

What do these bones represent? Can we see death and destruction? Surely there is brokenness and pain? Do we connect the pandemic and racial tensions to this scene? What about economic devastation, lost jobs and income. How about broken and lost lives, wrecked marriages, divided families.  Perhaps even dead religion and churches, people that are back slidden or even those who are dead in their sins? Broken and empty political promises? Corruption, Gender based violence, farm muders and crime in general. 

He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” 

What is man that God is mindful of him, he choses to engage with us and asks us questions. 

Do you think God wants these to live? Does he care about the pain and destruction evident? How am I to get involved in this unfolding story, what is my role? 

I said , “Sovereign Lord , you alone know.”

He is indeed sovereign and all knowing, and he alone knows his will, ways and purposes in full. We can't do anything without abiding in him, he is all powerful and we can only yield to his supremacy and trust in his goodness. 

What is your hearts response to this question? Is of faith or something else? Do you think it's possible, are you ready to respond in obedient trust?

Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord ! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: 

Yet he choses us to work through and shows us that not only is he able but willing to reveal himself to us, if only we would be obedient and open our hearts, minds, ears and mouths.

Oh my! He does want me to be involved, and not passively but actively. How? By prophecy (declaration or prayer at least).

By Faith trusting he will carry out his word and instructions to and through us.

Can you see as I do that the Lord wants to revive, restore and redeem the destruction, that is His heart towards us. He cares for and loves his people. 

The Lord ears and heart is not closed to his people and he says the following in IS45:19

I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord , speak only what is true and declare only what is right.

Isaiah 45:19 NLT

So in light of what God has shown us, what does God want us to seek his face and pray for?

I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord .’ ”  

Cleary He wants to revive, restore and bring life!

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.  

Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord , when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 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"

I will pray into this, who will join me?

Pray for restoration and redemption as well as revival and changed hearts of the leaders and people of the nation.

I recently found this picture, not sure the artist is but it speaks directly into my message, unless there is a change in the heart we can not expect change in the world.