ESOCS Devotional 16 May 2022
TEXT: EZEKIEL 37:1-14
MEMORY VERSE: “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 37:9 NLT
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
The valley of dry bones, as recorded in Ezekiel chapter 37 is one prophecy with double suggestions or implications. Thefirst is that it points to ancient Israel nation’s restoration, after several years of degrading captivity in foreign lands. This condition of disgrace was allowed by God because of Israel’s disobedience to His commands. The nation experienced spiritual death – a nation of walking corpses due to sin. But the rising hope is that God would give His people a newheart and a new spirit. So the dry bones (debased and frustrated people) shall live normal life again.
The second connotation of this prophecy bothers on the present state of humanity. A large percentage of the worldpopulation is still without Christ. But God has sent His Son as He sent Ezekiel to ancient Israel (John 3:16, John 1:12). He has also commissioned us (evangelicals) as ministers of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-21). The burden of care is now on us to ensure we work hard to reconcile lost humanity to God, as Ezekiel did. In response to God’s commands,Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones. The dry bones received the message of salvation and were restored. The frustrated and debased souls became a formidable Army of Christ.
Dear brethren and ministers of the kingdom, do you think you’ve taken your stand in this Great Commission? (Matt. 28:18-20). Look back to the early days of the apostles, who like Christ, gave themselves to the preaching of the Gospel. They interceded and sacrificed earnestly, so lost souls would return to God (2 Cor. 8:4-5). It’s time to arise, for the Lord expects us not to do otherwise. The power of God that was manifested in the resurrection of the bones is a proof to us that God can turn sinful humanity to righteousness. Christ has already finished the work on the Cross. Let’s do our own bit for the kingdom’s sake. Hell is already almost winning the war. Heaven is yearning for a reverse gear.
- How do you always feel when you hear of flourishing youth cultism, banditry, incessant marriage break-up, examination malpractices, etc.? Do you think the Church has failed?
- Our Father in heaven, we need your enabling grace to forge on. The harvest is greatly overripe, but labourers arefew. So help us Lord.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 25:1-9; John 20:24-31; Ephesians 1:1-14
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ESOCS Devotional 16 May 2022
