The Valley of Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:3

“He asked me, ‘Son on man, can these bones become living people again?’”

Have you ever tried to watch a 3D movie without 3D glasses? All you get is a blurry image. How about while you’re driving and all you see is a huge backup of cars? You cannot see the reason they are stopped. All you know is that they are stopped. After some time, you finally get close enough to see the reason for the backup. Perception is a crazy thing. In 3D movies, you must have the glasses to get a clear picture, and the long line of backed-up cars always has a reason.

Peter asked Jesus to call him out on the water where Jesus was, and Peter walked on water, crazy, right? As long as Peter kept his perspective right, he was walking on water. The minute he took his eyes off of Jesus, he started to sink.

Ezekiel is being led into a valley of dry bones by the Lord. He asked Ezekiel if these dry bones can live. Ezekiel answers the Lord with the same thing we all would say, “Only you know, Lord.” In other words, “I don’t know. All I see is a sea of dry bones.” Why am I here, and for what purpose do all these dry bones exist?

Perception is a crazy thing. In the early morning dim light while hunting, I could swear I saw deer moving in the clearing, only to realize it was a bush and the early morning light was playing a trick on me. We might not see everything clearly, but we do have to realize it may not be the right time to see it all. The long line of backed-up cars is frustrating to sit through, until you see the family that lost a loved one in a wreck.

As a Christian, you will have to be OK with not seeing the whole picture. Ezekiel did not see it at first, the Lord had to walk him down the path to seeing all those dry bones become a mighty army. Today, sit back and pray, and tell the Lord that you are OK with the here and now, that you don’t have to have all the answers now and that you trust Him. Remind yourself that the Lord goes before you and levels the mountains. You might not see the whole picture, but the Lord does. Like a good shepherd, He leads His sheep to green pastures. Stop complaining about the view and start putting your trust in the Shepherd who is leading you. Your view of dry bones could become an army, and all you have to do is follow the Lord.

Prayer: Father, way too often we look at our current circumstances and begin to fret and complain. I pray today that I would see with supernatural eyes and hear with supernatural ears what the Lord is doing. I thank you, Lord, that I don’t have to have or see the answer. I thank you that you are the Great Shepherd, and I trust where you are leading me. Even though I cannot see it, I know you are still working. I pray that I see life in the dead things in my life, in Jesus’ name. I pray and speak to the dead things in my life, “Come alive in Jesus’ name!” Your name is above every name, and when we speak your name, dead things come alive. In Jesus’ name, amen.