Revivals happen

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their Land.      2 Chronicles 7:14

Ezekiel was a priest who had been carried away by King Nebuchadnezzar and forced to settle in Babylon. As this man grew older, he grew both hungry for God and longing for his homeland.

God revealed Himself to Ezekiel and told Him of great things that were in the future for Israel. Ezekiel had a vision in which he visualized Israel as a valley of dead bones. Then God asked,  “Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3). Talk about having to answer the Teacher! What do you say when God asks you a question? Ezekiel answered, “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know!”

Then God told him to prophesy that breath would enter them, tendons would be attached, then flesh, then life. Recreation! It was a picture of Israel’s restoration. It is also a picture of what God does individually and corporately when He chooses to revive His people.

“My spiritual life is like that!” you may complain. But do you hear the still voice of God asking, “Can these bones live?”

Churches are people who have deep needs. Some are “old-timers” while others are a younger crowd. Many are “the walking wounded” who come hoping for life. At times those of us who have been there for a long time are more like the valley of dry bones – the “used-to-be-on-fire” crowd. critical of the young, more prone to give advice than help.

When fire comes, everything feels the flame. So why not ask God to start the revival of dry bones with you? “Yes, Lord, send a work of Your Spirit starting with me.”

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.- Philippians 2:1-3