PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Ezekiel 37-38
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I will put my Spirit in you and you will live.” (Ezekiel 37:14)
The big story of the bible shows us how God restores his messed-up family.
From Adam and Eve, to the last person before Jesus’ return, we all need help.
From OT Israel through the NT Church, we all fall far short.
Though God allows us to suffer consequences, God does not abandon us.
In one sense, we are all these bones, under the curse of death.
We severed our connection to God and the breath of life (Genesis 2:7).
We are animated by a different spirit – the spirit of self, greed, anger.
Consider how humans ‘free’ from God are experiencing life – we’re dying!
Killing each other, killing ourselves, sick and plagued by despair.
God records what happened to Israel to remind us all about life and death.
God sends Jesus to show us what life can be like, with God.
Jesus sends God’s life-giving Spirit to all who will receive him.
The Spirit of Jesus can animate you, and give you a new and better life.
Life on the inside, God life overflowing in me – this is what I want!
PRAYER
Lord, I have tasted this deadness, and I see it in many people around me. Breathe your life in me, and breathe your life through me, that others may come alive in you too!
By the spirit – I become a living temple of God: “My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people” – It connects with God’s promise as first declared in Exodus 6:7 ” I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God!” And God will be shown Holy – vindicated: “I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.” I should not attempt to play God and make judgement or revenge – help me to be patient Lord for you will make yourself known! Help me to live and breathe who I am as a child of God – as a believer who gives testimony to the hope we have in Jesus!
The word of the Lord comes to His people again and again. He gives His people strength and hope if they but obey Him. In the destruction like earthquakes the people see the hand of the Lord and they cry out to Him. It is He Who gives His people life and strength and hope time and time again. New beginnings. May we continue to see the hand of God in all things that He continues to make His presence known and that He is the Ruler of this His world.
Serve Him.
Live for Jesus.
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!