Day 238

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Ezekiel Speaks to the Valley of Dry Bones

Scripture

August 25—Ezekiel 37-39: New Life for Israel

Observation

Two of Ezekiel's most striking prophecies make up today's study. Both the valley of dry bones (chapter 37) and the attack of Gog (chapter 38-39) reveal God's loving concern for Israel. Though dead as bones, the nation would be restored to life again. And though outnumbered and seemingly defenseless, restored Israel would be supernaturally protected against Gog. All this serves to display God's incomparable glory before the watching world.

Gog and Magog in the Pages of World History—Ezekiel 38 and 39 have long baffled Bible scholars. Who is Gog? Where is Magog? Is the battle Ezekiel describes past, present or future? Revelation 20:7-10 sheds some light on the question. Regardless of where and when the battle is fought, one truth remains certain: Mankind will never prevail against Israel's sovereign God!

Application

Are there individuals who, in your estimation, are too (a) sinful, (b) intellectual, or (c) self-sufficient to ever experience new life in Jesus Christ? Can someone be "too lost to be saved"?

If you find yourself with a long and growing list of "Hopeless' Candidates for Salvation," then perhaps you need a fresh vision of God's miraculous, life-giving power. Read 37:1-14 thoughtfully. To what did God give life? To a disbanded and dispersed people, exiled hundreds of miles from their homeland, who were convinced that God had given up on them! If God can raise up dead bones to make a nation, what do you think he can do through you in the lives of others who are "spiritually dead" (Ephesians 2:5)?

Cut out a cardboard and name it "dry bone," write the name of an unsaved friend or loved one on it, and tape it to your mirror or car dashboard. Let it remind you that God specializes in breathing new life into lifeless bones. And pray for the person's salvation every time you are reminded!

Prayer

Almighty God, bring the dry bones amongst us to life and let them know it is all about you and because it's all about you the world's problems are in your hands, you have always been in charged and always will be.  It doesn't matter that our politicians are bad or good because you use the good, the bad and the ugly to advance your Kingdom. Let us have a mindset that yearn for your Kingdom come. So, we commit all our ways to you so that you may lift us up in due time and make us holy like you are holy. We pray this in our Savior's name! Amen!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business!

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