pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: dryness


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Possible and Available

Reading: Ezekiel 37:1-6

Ezekiel 37:5 – “The Lord God proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again.”

As we prepare to spend time today and tomorrow in Ezekiel 37, we begin with some framing context and with a few questions. The valley of dry bones, we will learn, represents the nation of Israel’s dead faith. Because of this dead faith, they worshipped false gods, leading to physical death and destruction, followed by 70 years in exile. In light of this, where and how have you and I become disconnected from God? Are there areas of our faith and/or life that are like dry bones? And, how might the breath of God restore life to you and to me?

The opening verses of Ezekiel 37 set the scene. The Spirit brings Ezekiel to a broad valley. As he is led about, he sees that there are “a great many” of these “very dry bones.” An entire nation had been defeated by Babylon. Most died and the survivors were taken away into exile. Despair and hopelessness have grown as the years ticked by. The exiles question the prophets recent words of hope. They desire to return to the land that God once gave them, but…

The Lord’s Spirit asks the prophet if these bones can live. This is a relevant question for Israel, for our nation, perhaps for us as individuals. Ezekiel defers to God. The prophet witnessed the absolute defeat of Israel and he was one of those hauled off into exile. He’s been living in Babylon for many years, speaking to a people who are still far from God. The thought of resurrection feels too big, the idea impossible. So he gives it to God. And God has a plan. God instructs Ezekiel to say, “The Lord God proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again.” This is a statement of faith. God will do this. God will restore and redeem Israel. Then, “You will know that I am the Lord.” How might God be reaching out to restore your relationship with God? How can the Spirit’s breath bring you new life?

Prayer: Lord God, you really can do anything. You are the God of all things, even that which seems impossible. Help us to see and then to trust our dryness and brokenness to you. Remind us once again that because of your great and unconditional love, new life is always possible and available. Deferring to you, lead us to new life as you breathe into our hearts today. Amen.


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Rejoice in the Love

Reading: Psalm 107: 33-37

Verse 35: “He turned the desert into pools of water and parched ground into flowing springs”.

While many of the Psalms are often songs of thanksgiving overall, they do have their honest moments too. The psalmists, to their credit, acknowledge the failures and sins of the past. This is the case in today’s passage. In verses 33 and 34 the rivers turn into deserts and the fruitful land becomes a wasteland. This happens, we read, because of the people’s wickedness. In our own way, we experience this when we sin. Our sin separates us from God. In that place, our joy and hope seems to “dry up” and life feels empty and barren. This is not God’s doing, but our doing. As we ourselves are still present, it just feels like God has left.

This state of drought or dryness, of being parched and hungry – it does not last. Through God’s steadfast love and unending mercy, the desert becomes a pool and there is food for the hungry. In our Psalm, as God sometimes does, things are not just restored to what they were. If that were the case, the Psalm would end in verse 35. God blesses the people, giving them a place to live and providing good land to plant fields and vineyards. Life will not just be bearable or tolerable – it will be good and it will be blessed. God’s generous spirit will be evident to the people of faith.

We too rejoice in the love of God. I close with verse 43 from this same Psalm: “Whoever is wise, let him [or her] heed these things and consider the great love of God”. Yes, may we too be grateful as we think of God’s great love.

Prayer: Father God, each day you are so good to me. My thanks is ever yours. I too know that in the difficult days, in the times of hardship and suffering, you will be right there. Thank you for your presence and love that are always with me. Amen.