Dry Bones

The Valley of Dry Bones:

Ezekiel 37

verses 1-2
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry.

verses 11- 14
Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.' Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the LORD God: Behold, I will open up your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD."


Many a day go by when my spirit feels dry as bones.
I feel lifeless.

Do you know this feeling?

I sometimes wake up in the morning and try to calculate how many hours it will be until I get to rest again- until I can sway away from the duties of the day and just sleep.

There are days that I do not live in the HOPE that I have in Christ.
That I do not live in the VICTORY that is already won by Jesus.

Last week I had the privilege of traveling to Nashville with 73 middle schoolers and 20 or so adults to serve and be a part of the Higher Ground mission tour.

We had the opportunity on Monday and Tuesday to serve at the Nashville Rescue mission.
Many know that my heart is tender to the homeless- but this day was different. (Aren't they all?)

As we pulled up into the mission I noticed something- a parking lot scattered with men lying all over the place. Truly- try and see this with me-
On every curb, side walk and underneath light posts- Men lying there.
Some with faces covered with newspaper to hide the morning light- others talking to themselves---
I immediately saw this scripture.

I was, in a sense, set into the middle of a valley- FULL OF BONES.
Dry. Lifeless. HOPE LOST.

O, Lord, Do they know you?
Do they know the life that they can find in giving their lives to you?

I was burdened by this valley of dry bones I found in Nashville-
praying for the Lord to breathe His breath of life into them.

We had planned weeks before to do a concert on Tuesday night at the Rescue Mission for their chapel service.

To be honest- I was nervous- would our students be discouraged if these men did not respond in worship?

Would I leave with this painful gut in my stomach for the men whose eyes are void of much hope?

We arrived and escorted our students down an aisle into a room FULL of the men who live at the mission.

"God- You are good and perfect in your timing. Be here now- Fill this place with your spirit and life abundant. You are awesome in this place- let us hear from you."

Our kiddos crammed their way onto the stage- smiles and hearts ready for worship- and the first song began...


"Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares"

And then a few songs later...

"Who shall we say You are
You're the living God
Who shall we say You are
You're the Great I AM
The highest name of all
You're all You say You are

You are holy, holy, holy
God most high and God most worthy
You are holy, holy, holy
Jesus, You are
Jesus, You are"


I am crying now recalling this worship.

The spirit of the Lord was at work.
Men- broken and bruised- with hands raised to King Jesus.
Men- all pride and no joy- spirits lifted to a God who is not dead, but surely alive.

I have really never been in a time of worship where I have seen a valley of such dry bones come alive so genuinely.


How incredible to see the spirit of the Lord at work right before my eyes.

I cannot get over what the Lord says in Ezekiel Ch. 37 at the end of verse 14:
I am the Lord. I have spoken. I will do it.


My prayer tonight is that we recall and live in the glorious truth that we have LIFE in King Jesus- we are not to live as dry bones- without hope.

Sweet Jesus Christ, our clarity.
Sweet Jesus Christ, our sanity.
Christ has died.
Christ is Risen.
Christ WILL come again.


Until that day I pray that we will live fully- and do all things for the name sake and glory of Jesus.


I will leave you with this little song that brought smiles and tears to several of us this week.
At a nursing home where we sang- Mrs. Frankie- 88- shared this with David DeVane and I...

"I washed my hands this morning
So very clean and bright
And lent them both to Jesus
To work for Him till night

Little feet, be careful
Where you take me to
Anything for Jesus
Only let me do"


Yes, yes, yes.
ANYTHING for Jesus. Only let me do.