Thurs.’s Devo - Dry Bones Come to Life

Read: Ezekiel 37:1-38:23; James 1:19-2:17; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 28:1 God took Ezekiel to a valley filled with bones. God led Ezekiel through the valley to look at how dry and dead these bones were. As they were walking God asked Ezekiel if he thought these bones could live again. Ezekiel answered that only God knew the answer to that. So God told him to prophecy to them to hear God’s word for them. God’s word to them was that God would cause breath to enter into them and make them live again. (The picture of salvation.) Then he would put flesh and muscles on them and cover them with skin. Then they would know that He was the Lord. Ezekiel prophecied just as God told him and the bones started joining together to form people. Muscles and flesh formed over the bones and then skin covered them but they still had no life. God told him to speak to the four winds to breathe on them. When he did they came to life and stood up on their feet as a great army. Then God explained the illustration he had just showed Ezekiel. The bones represented the people of Israel who felt like all hope was gone and their nation was finished. God said he would open their graves of exile and cause them to rise again and bring them back to their land in Israel. He would put his Spirit in them and they would live again and return to their own land. Ezekiel received another message to take a piece of wood and carve on it “For Judah.” He was to write the words “For Joseph” which stood for the rest of Israel on another stick. Then he was to join them together to show that they would become one nation - God’s people. Chapter 38 deals with Gog and the land of Magog which responds to modern Russia today. Gog was the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. In the last days they would be used to attack Israel in a time of peace after just recovering from war. The enemy would come like a storm and cover the whole land. They would take advantage of Israel’s vulnerability and plan to spoil them. God told Ezekiel to prophecy that when they do this, God will arise in fury and shake the land of Israel. God will bring a sword against them and they will fight one another. God will punish them with disease, bloodshed, rain, hailstones, fire and burning sulphur. The whole world will know that He is Lord. James encourages us to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry. Human anger doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. Only the Word of God in our hearts has the power to save our souls. We not only have to hear God’s voice but we have to follow through and obey. True Christians can control their tongue. They are compassionate and will care for widows and orphans. They are not prejudice. To break one of God’s laws is to break them all. We will be judged by the law but if we are merciful, God will show us mercy. Our faith should result in good deeds. Thank you that your unfailing love for us is powerful and your faithfulness endures forever.