God gave Ezekiel a vision concerning the condition of His people and His desire to revive their dry bones (See the previous devotionals). Since God is always purposeful and intentional about His work, why did He want to revive His idolatrous people? Ezekiel 36 provides a clear understanding of God’s heart and why He desired to restore their dry bones.
Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations wherever you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Ezekiel 36:22-27
God was looking to restore His name among the nations. His people were supposed to hallow his name and magnify Him on the earth. However, they walked away from His ways and chose idolatry and filth. Their actions hardened their hearts and led to God’s name being profaned among the nations.
The Lord wants to wash us from every filth that has contaminated us. He is looking to take away our stony hearts and give us a heart of flesh. Sin hardens our hearts. When people in a community or a nation begin to celebrate sin, it leads to rebellion and anarchy. We are witnessing the breakdown of our social and governmental structures right before our eyes.
When I was in Washington D.C. this summer, I noticed many beautiful monuments recognizing our past presidents and leaders. Some of the writings on the walls displayed faith in our creator and recognized His protection and provision over our country. While I was looking at those walls, I wondered if that is how our nation feels about God right now! Has honoring God become a historical memory from years gone by?
Where is God in our midst now? Why has Christianity become so offensive since it has been the bedrock of freedom for this nation and all other free nations? Sadly, 80% of Americans still claim they are Christian, but we are far from God as a nation. In my geographical area, only 4% of the population goes to church. Among the 4% Christians, we cannot even agree on specific Biblical issues such as life and marriage. If there has ever been a time that the church has opened the door to filth and idolatry, it is now!
There is much change that is required in our nation, but the change must begin with the church not diluting and compromising the Word of God in the name of compassion and justice. Jesus modeled this balance for us. He protected an adulteress from being stoned, but He did not excuse her sin. Jesus came to transform us and revive our dry bones and give us an abundant life.
Please don’t cheat people out of the gift of God’s grace! Jesus came to set us free from sin. His grace isn’t there to excuse sin but to overcome it! Please don’t offer people a lollipop of counterfeit acceptance to calm their pain. The greatest acceptance is when our Holy God reaches out to sinners and invites them to His kingdom and desires to adopt them as sons and daughters. Our ungodly acceptance of people is like filthy rags, and it will keep them in a state of bondage and false identity.
Let’s pray for the true church to rise and love people with a Godly love. People need the breath of the Holy one breathing onto their dry bones and reviving them to true life! We like Ezekiel stand between the living and the dead and speak to the dry bones. Our touch from God brings life to their dead bodies, and it glorifies our Lord!
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.
4 thoughts on “Dry Bones (Part III)”
Queen Hockenhull
Wow Min Karlene, you hit the nail on the head. The body of Christ has to do a better job of representing a holy God of the Word. Preach sister preach!! Amen!!!
“Has honoring God become a historical memory from years gone by?” Such a great question as we tear down monuments and so many no longer see value in belonging to a church. Not to mention the countless numbers of Gen Y that do not agree with their parent’s religion and would rather live a “spiritual life” that embraces the feel good practices of Hinduism and other practices.
I also liked your statement “Our ungodly acceptance of people is like filthy rags, and it will keep them in a state of bondage and false identity.” So very true! This tolerance is in reality a death sentence to those we say we love! It’s tragic!
Praise God! Amen! The body of Christ has gradually derailed from the God’s mandate and purpose. We need to get back on course to see this nation healed.
Wow Min Karlene, you hit the nail on the head. The body of Christ has to do a better job of representing a holy God of the Word. Preach sister preach!! Amen!!!
Praise the Lord! Thank you Min. Queen.
Love this!!
“Has honoring God become a historical memory from years gone by?” Such a great question as we tear down monuments and so many no longer see value in belonging to a church. Not to mention the countless numbers of Gen Y that do not agree with their parent’s religion and would rather live a “spiritual life” that embraces the feel good practices of Hinduism and other practices.
I also liked your statement “Our ungodly acceptance of people is like filthy rags, and it will keep them in a state of bondage and false identity.” So very true! This tolerance is in reality a death sentence to those we say we love! It’s tragic!
Praise God! Amen! The body of Christ has gradually derailed from the God’s mandate and purpose. We need to get back on course to see this nation healed.