“The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones. 2 He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. 3 Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?” Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again! 6 I will put flesh and muscles on you and cover you with skin. I will put breath into you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”7 So I spoke this message, just as he told me. Suddenly as I spoke, there was a rattling noise all across the valley. The bones of each body came together and attached themselves as complete skeletons.
8 Then as I watched, muscles and flesh formed over the bones. Then skin formed to cover their bodies, but they still had no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’” 10 So I spoke the message as he commanded me, and breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army.” Ezekiel 37:1-10 NLT
Sovereign Lord,
So rich a passage. Bones of the dead and many, many of them. Disgraced because they had not been buried. Bones have no life of their own, yet they are essential. You showed Ezekiel that their is hope even for fallen and rebellious Israel for revival. But not just to bring them back but to breathe Your life into them. To become an army. Focussed together under one leader You God and willing to serve as an Army serves. But they have to be willing to listen to the message. The bones came together but were not alive utile=until they received the prophetic message of Your life. We are sad knowing that they did not listen to Ezekiel.
It is the breath of creation from You, God that brings us to life. When we are born and take our first breath. But You offer to breath in us something more. Your eternal life. We are not just bones knit together in our mothers womb to live and die and have no meaning. Jesus came and prophesied too that we could have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). He breathed upon His disciples following His resurrection and they received Your Holy Spirit (John 20:22) .
We are saddened that people do not want to hear about the gift of life in You. You do not want nice good people but an Army filled with Your Spirit, Your love and grace. Your passion. That the whole world may have the opportunity to hear, choose Christ and know real life. Even if it is one at a time! I feel so small and weak and dependant on You breath of life. Lift me up in Your strength.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 9th September 2025
Holy Spirit, living breath of God
Breathe new life into my willing soul
Bring the presence of the risen Lord
To renew my heart and make me whole
Cause Your Word to come alive in me
Give me faith for what I cannot see
Give me passion for Your purity
Holy Spirit, breathe new life in me
Holy Spirit, come abide within
May Your joy be seen in all I do
Love enough to cover every sin
In each thought and deed and attitude
Kindness to the greatest and the least
Gentleness that sows the path of peace
Turn my strivings into works of grace
Breath of God, show Christ in all I do
Holy Spirit, from creation’s birth
Giving life to all that God has made
Show Your power once again on earth
Cause Your church to hunger for your ways
Let the fragrance of our prayers arise
Lead us on the road of sacrifice
That in unity the face of Christ
Will be clear for all the world to see
Ephesians 3:20-21
Lyrics: Keith Getty, Stuart Townend