Encountering the Impossible

Ezekiel 37:1–3, 13 (NIV)

"The hand of the Lord was on me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'Sovereign Lord, You alone know.' ... Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them."

We struggle with many things in the church today, but if God allows change to happen for growth and expansion, it is a wonderful thing. One challenge in Bible-based churches is that ministry sometimes forgets that theology is a means to an end, not the end itself. Many churches have drifted from real preaching and scripture study, leaving spiritual nourishment lacking.

Knowing God, Not Just About Him

One may have knowledge about God but still lack a personal relationship with Him. We need to truly know God—His desires, His plans, and His glory. This happens when we:

• Love people to Christ.
• Tell others about Him.
• Help people in need.

Everything happens by God’s sovereign will, not by Satan’s control.

God’s Hand Was on Ezekiel

God led Ezekiel into a valley full of dry bones. This supernatural experience taught him about God’s power and glory. Often, what God does does not make sense to our human logic, yet He is working all things for good.

Ezekiel 37:3 (NIV)

"He asked me, 'Son of man, can these bones live?' I said, 'Sovereign Lord, You alone know.'"

The valley of dry bones represents hopelessness. Sometimes, God places us in situations where we must rely solely on Him. Spending time alone with God allows us to understand His will.

Ezekiel’s Part and God’s Part

We are called to be active participants in God’s work. Are we allowing God to use us for His purposes?

Ezekiel 37:4 (NIV)

"Then He said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones and say to them, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!"'"

Are we alive in the Lord? Are we contributing to the church, or are we spiritually lifeless? The church building is external, but if there is no life within it, then it is dead inside.

Breathing Life into the Church

Ezekiel 37:9–10 (NIV)

"Then He said to me, 'Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, "This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live."’ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army."

Christ came so that we may have life, and have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (NIV)

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

Conclusion

When the corpses received life, they stood as a vast army for God’s purposes and glory. God will ensure that we are spiritually alive and stepping out to win souls for Christ.

Through this extraordinary encounter of the impossible, we may truly know God for who He is.