A Dry Spirit 09.11.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today we are continuing our studies on the book of Ezekiel, please read Chapters 37-39 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to your browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezekiel%2037-39&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the valley or dry bones; the prophecy against Gog; and the vision of Israel restored. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that we can not let our time with God become dry. It is only by reading and obeying God's Word that we are cured by the spiritual dryness in a believer's life.

Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C., afterwards most of the Israelites who survived were scattered throughout Gentile nations. Since the Temple and City of God were destroyed the Israelites lost all hope of any restoration of their homeland. It was during this time that God revealed to Ezekiel through a new vision that the land would be restored. "The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, 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." (Ezekiel 37:1-2).

The bones were dry, bleached, having been there for quite a while, and represented the Israelite kingdom that no longer exsisted who had no hope of ever again becoming a nation. They as a nation were literally and spiritually dead, however like the dry bones it was not buried. "Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD." (37:4-6).

Ezekiel proclaimed the Word of God as the bones began to come together and form a great army. Although the Isaraelites were saying their hope was lost this army proved that Israel would be restored. "Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts. Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD." (37:11-14).

Now, after more than 2500 years the Israelites do exist as a nation and live within the promised land. God will soon fulfill His promise as the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to rule the world from the New Jeruslaem. "Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name." (Revelation 3:12).

In all nations and ages, forces that refuse to acknowledge God have violently attacked the True Word of God, they rewrite His words to confuse people and give false prophecies in order to make themselves look good or keep the lost from knowing the truth. It seems at times that the foundations of truth become as the dry bones we read about today. However, God permits these attacks to seperate the believer from those who worship idols false gods.

Consequently, we unconsciously create idols in our lives, it could be material possessions, a career, or a person. It is most important to realize that nothing comes before God and as long as we put Him first He will bless us. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto youBut seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33).

In today's reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the one who made it possible to be ressurected from the grave. (Ezekiel 37:12)

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I am strengthened and encouraged through You Jesus, who saved me from total destruction. It is through You that I am saved and am able to conquer by greatest fears. You are also the living fountain that quneches my thirst and keeps my sprirt from drying up. I put my complete trust and faith in You and from this moment on I will try my best to put You above all things. In Jesus' name.....Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day and weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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