Dry Bones and Living Hope: A Call to Revival from Ezekiel 37
“Revival, above everything else, is a glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is the restoration of him to the center of the life of the Church. You find this warm devotion, personal devotion, to him.” -D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Revival (Westchester, 1987), page 47.
The world feels dry and brittle, doesn't it? Like a valley of dry bones. Our culture, our communities, even our churches sometimes feel devoid of the life and vibrancy they once had. We crave something more, something deeper, something real. We crave revival.
That is where REVIVAL is needed. When God sends revival, people of all ages and backgrounds are set free to experience the power of Jesus’ love.
The college I attended experienced revival just after I graduated. It was a Christian college, but while I attended it, there was little movement of the Spirit on campus. Then, unexpectedly, revival came. The giant chapel in the college was packed with students and they were all in their pews, locked in straight lines. As the Spirit moved, students were compelled to come forward for prayer. Because of the pews, a long line soon formed. One student couldn’t wait any longer, he so desperately needed prayer. He ended up walking across the tops of the pews so that he could come forward and experience the saving power of Jesus.
That is my mental picture of revival. People who are desperately trapped in sin, who are bogged down in the systems we create, finding ways to break free into freedom.
In Ezekiel 37, the prophet encounters a valley of dry bones, a picture of hopelessness and despair. Yet, through God's power, those bones come to life, forming a vast army. This powerful image speaks volumes about the possibility of revival, even in the most desolate of circumstances.
The Need for Revival (Ezekiel 37:1-3)
Ezekiel's vision begins in a valley of dry bones, a place of death and decay. These bones represent God's people, cut off from Him and devoid of hope. Their situation mirrors our own. We live in a world that constantly bombards us with messages of emptiness and fleeting satisfaction. We chase after things that can't fulfill, leaving us feeling like those dry bones – lifeless and disconnected.
Spiritual death sets in when we lose hope. When we place our hope in things that can be taken away – possessions, relationships, even our own abilities – we set ourselves up for disappointment and despair. True hope can only be found in something that transcends this world, something that death and suffering cannot touch.
The Means of Revival (Ezekiel 37:4-8)
God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, to speak His Word. This is the first step towards revival. The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. It cuts through the lies and deceptions of the world, revealing our true condition and pointing us to the only source of true life.
Preaching the Word is essential for revival. We need to be reminded of the bad news – that we are sinners in need of salvation – and the good news – that Jesus Christ offers forgiveness and new life to all who believe. Bold, Christ-centered preaching cuts through the noise and calls us back to the heart of the Gospel.
The Power of Revival (Ezekiel 37:9-10)
But preaching alone is not enough. Ezekiel is then commanded to prophesy to the breath, to pray for the Spirit of God to breathe life into those dry bones. Preaching prepares the ground, but it is the Holy Spirit who brings true life and transformation.
Prayer is the lifeblood of revival. It is through prayer that we connect with God, confess our need, and invite the Holy Spirit to move in our lives and communities. Just as Jesus breathed on His disciples, giving them the Holy Spirit, we need to pray for the Spirit's power to bring life to dry bones around us.
Conclusion
Can these dry bones live again? Absolutely! The promise of Ezekiel 37 is that God can bring life to even the most hopeless situations. He can revive dry bones, restore hope, and transform individuals and communities.
Let us pray for revival. Let us pray for the Spirit's power to move in our churches, our communities, and our world. Let us be agents of hope, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ and inviting others to experience the life-transforming power of His love.
Reflection Questions:
Where do you see "dry bones" in your life or community?
How can you be involved in bringing the Word of God to those who need to hear it?
Are you actively praying for revival in your own life and in the lives of those around you?
Remember:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..."
(1 Peter 1:3-5)
With You;
Pastor Tim
