Raised with Purpose

Based on Ezekiel 37-39, Proverbs 23

"And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry. And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord God, thou knowest.
Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord." Ezekiel 37:2-4.

God showed Ezekiel a valley of dead, dry bones. God questions Ezekiel, asking if the bones can rise & live again. Of course we know God knows the answer, which is why Ezekiel says "O Lord God, thou knowest." But God wanted Ezekiel to speak it & prophesy! It's one thing to know God can do it, but it's another to believe we will see it, even if all hope seems lost.

When we are raised in newness of life in the baptism of water & Spirit, out of our dead life of sin, we are raised with purpose! Not only is there hope for us to live again, but to live better than we ever have before! This story of the dry bones is definitely one of my favorite. It gives so much hope to the people of Israel, and to us!

"Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live." Ezekiel 37:9.

The muscles & skin came together, but the SPIRIT gave LIFE! It wasn't just a body which was needed with flesh-the Spirit was what caused these bodies to live! Just like this valley of dry bones, we really haven't lived until we have received God's Spirit! We haven't even begun to fulfill our purpose! We need to be raised in newness of life with God's breath of life-in Spirit and purpose!

"So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army." Ezekiel 37:10.

Not only were these a people-they became an ARMY! They were raised with the ability & purpose to fight on The Lord's side! They were stronger than they had ever been before! With the Holy Ghost, we can face greater things and have victories which wouldn't be possible to obtain only in our flesh & our own strength! The New Testament valley of dry bones in here now...it's time for us to be raised with purpose and walk a fulfilling life with The Lord!

Although my focus was mainly the first chapter of today's reading, the rest compliment this in that God shows forth His mighty power in not only raising Israel, but bringing down Gog (the enemy). Once again, God protects His people. His army. His children! US! Are you ready? 😉👍