ESOCS Devotional 19 April 2026: Can These Bones Live?

ESOCS Devotional 19 April 2026 – Can These Bones Live?

MEMORY VERSE: “He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’ I said, ‘Sovereign Lord, you alone know.'” Ezekiel 37:3 NIV

TEXT: EZEKIEL 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. ² Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. ³ And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

So I answered, “O Lord God, You know.”

⁴ Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ⁵ Thus says the Lord God to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. ⁶ I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.” ’ ”

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.

⁹ Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

¹¹ Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. ¹⁴ I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”

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Amid a valley full of dry, lifeless bones, God asks the prophet Ezekiel a seemingly impossible question: “Can these bones live?”

From a human perspective, the answer is obvious: No. These bones represent death, defeat, and despair. But Ezekiel, full of reverence and faith, responds wisely: “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

This powerful moment reminds us that nothing is beyond God’s ability to restore. Even in our driest, most hopeless situations, when our dreams have died, relationships are broken, or purpose feels lost, God can breathe life again. He specializes in resurrection and renewal.

God wasn’t just speaking about bones. He was speaking to His people, who had lost all hope in exile. He still speaks to us today:

No matter how hopeless things appear, God can restore life, hope, and strength where there seems to be only ruin.

Are there “dry bones” in your life today? Don’t give up. Instead, listen for the voice of the Lord who asks not to mock, but to restore.

Reflections

1. What areas of your life feel like “dry bones,” lifeless, hopeless, or forgotten?
2. Do you truly believe that God can bring life to even the most impossible situations? Why or why not?
3. How can Ezekiel’s response encourage you to trust God’s wisdom and power, even when you don’t understand?
4. What would it look like to invite the Spirit of God into your dry areas today?

Action Step

Identify one specific “dry” area in your life, whether spiritual, emotional, relational, or physical. Spend intentional time in prayer, asking God to breathe His Spirit into that place. Write a declaration of hope based on God’s Word (e.g., Psalm 71:20, Isaiah 43:19) and speak it over that situation daily this week.

Prayer: 

• Sovereign Lord, only you know what is truly possible.
• I bring before you the dry, lifeless areas of my heart and life. Breathe into them again.
• Restore my hope, renew my strength, and revive my spirit. I believe you are the God who brings life out of death and beauty from ashes, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Further Reading: Luke 24:13-35; Exodus 14:5-End; John 20:11-21

ESOCS Devotional 19 April 2026