Reviving Hope: God's Power in Our Despair

Devotional

Day 1: God Revives What Seems Hopeless and Dead

Even when situations appear utterly lifeless and beyond repair, God alone has the power to breathe new life and hope into what seems lost. The vision of the valley of dry bones reminds us that no matter how long something has been dead—whether a relationship, a dream, or a community—God is able to restore, reconnect, and revive. The people of Israel felt cut off and hopeless, but God declared that He would open their graves and bring them back to life, not by their own strength, but by His Spirit. When we feel like all is lost, we are invited to trust that God is not finished and that He specializes in resurrection and renewal. [27:36]

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (ESV)
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. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. 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 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.”

Reflection: Where in your life do you feel most hopeless or “cut off”? Ask God today to show you how He wants to breathe new life into that area.

Day 2: Speak God’s Truth Over Your Life and Community

God calls us not to echo words of defeat or despair, but to speak His promises and truth over our lives, our families, and our church. Just as Ezekiel was told to prophesy to the bones, we are invited to declare what God says, not what our circumstances or fears say. When we align our words with God’s Word, we prepare the way for His Spirit to move and for transformation to begin. Speaking words of faith and hope, even when we don’t see results yet, is an act of trust and obedience that can change the atmosphere around us. [38:11]

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Reflection: What negative or hopeless words have you spoken about yourself, your family, or your church? What is one promise from God’s Word you can begin to declare instead?

Day 3: True Life Comes from the Holy Spirit, Not Just Outward Activity

It is possible to look alive on the outside—busy, connected, or even successful—yet still be spiritually empty inside. The bones in Ezekiel’s vision were assembled and covered with flesh, but they only truly lived when God’s Spirit breathed into them. In the same way, our efforts, programs, and appearances are not enough; we desperately need the Holy Spirit to fill us, empower us, and give us real life. Only then can we stand strong and become a force for God’s purposes in our world. [40:09]

John 6:63 (ESV)
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

Reflection: In what ways have you been relying on your own strength or outward activity instead of seeking the Holy Spirit’s presence and power? How can you invite the Spirit to fill you today?

Day 4: Persistent Prayer Prepares the Way for God’s Awakening

Before revival and new life come, there is often a foundation of persistent, faithful prayer. The story of the church that experienced spiritual awakening after years of a small prayer group meeting reminds us that God moves in response to the prayers of His people. Even when results are not immediate, our prayers are laying the groundwork for God to move in our lives, our church, and our community. Don’t underestimate the power of gathering with others to pray and seek God’s will together. [51:28]

James 5:16 (ESV)
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Reflection: Who can you join with in prayer this week to seek God’s renewal for your church, your family, or your community? Will you commit to praying persistently, even if you don’t see immediate results?

Day 5: Trust God’s Ability and Desire to Do More Than You Imagine

God is not limited by our circumstances, resources, or past failures. He desires to do more in and through us than we often believe possible. We are called to trust that He is able and willing to bring new life, to provide what is needed, and to use us for His purposes. Instead of focusing on what we lack or what seems impossible, we are invited to be convinced of God’s power and goodness, and to respond in faith and expectation. [54:05]

Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV)
Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Reflection: What is one area where you have doubted God’s ability or willingness to work? How can you step out in faith today, trusting that He wants to do more than you can imagine?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to open our hearts to God, laying aside our burdens and anxieties so that we might truly worship and encounter His presence together. We reflected on the story of Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones, a powerful vision given to a people who felt cut off, hopeless, and as good as dead. The Israelites, exiled in Babylon, mourned what they had lost and struggled to see any future for themselves. Yet, God’s word to them—and to us—is that what seems dead is not beyond His power to revive. He calls us to speak His truth over our lives, our families, our church, and our community, even when all evidence seems to the contrary.

Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that God’s restoration is not just about outward appearances. The bones came together, tendons and flesh appeared, but true life only came when God’s Spirit—the breath of life—entered them. We can do many things to look alive, but without the Spirit, we remain lifeless. God’s promise is not just to restore what was lost, but to fill us with His Spirit so that we might stand, not as individuals, but as a vast, unified army ready to impact the world around us.

This message is deeply relevant for us today. Many of us look at our church, our community, or even our own lives and see decline, disconnection, or emptiness. But God’s word is not one of resignation or defeat. He invites us to participate in His work by speaking His promises, by praying faithfully, and by opening ourselves to the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. The foundation for revival is laid in persistent prayer and in aligning our words and expectations with God’s truth, not with the discouragement of the world.

We are called to believe that God is not finished with us. He desires to breathe new life into every place that feels dead or hopeless. Our role is to prepare, to pray, to speak His word, and to trust that He will do what only He can do—raise up what was dead and make it a testimony to His glory.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Restoration Begins Where Hope Seems Lost When Ezekiel stood in the valley of dry bones, he saw utter desolation—bones long dead, picked clean, and scattered. Yet, God asked if these bones could live, not to test Ezekiel’s knowledge, but to reveal that only God can bring life where hope is gone. In our own valleys, when we feel cut off or beyond repair, God’s question remains: will we trust Him to do the impossible? [35:19]
2. Speaking God’s Word Prepares the Way for Renewal God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, to declare not his own opinions, but God’s promises. This act of speaking God’s word, even to what seems lifeless, is a step of faith that prepares us for God’s movement. Our words matter; when we align our speech with God’s truth rather than our fears or disappointments, we create space for His Spirit to work. [37:03]
3. True Life Comes Only Through the Spirit The bones in Ezekiel’s vision were assembled and covered with flesh, but they remained lifeless until God’s breath—the Holy Spirit—entered them. Outward activity or appearance is not enough; we need the indwelling presence of God to truly live. This challenges us to seek not just busyness or programs, but a fresh filling of the Spirit in all we do. [40:09]
4. Persistent Prayer Lays the Foundation for Awakening The transformation of dry bones into a living army was preceded by years of prayer and longing. In the same way, spiritual renewal in our lives and communities is often built on the unseen, faithful prayers of God’s people. Even small, humble prayer gatherings can prepare the ground for God’s greatest works. [50:00]
5. God’s Promises Are Greater Than Our Circumstances The people of Israel believed their story was over, but God declared a different ending: “I will open your graves and bring you up from them.” Our circumstances may seem final, but God’s promises speak a better word. We are called to believe and speak what God says about us—that we are more than conquerors, filled with His Spirit, and equipped for every good work He calls us to.

** [54:05]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[09:05] - Preparing Our Hearts for Worship
[11:39] - Worship Through Giving
[24:13] - Turning to Ezekiel 37
[25:20] - Reading the Valley of Dry Bones
[28:40] - Israel’s Exile and Ezekiel’s Context
[30:21] - God’s Presence in Exile
[35:19] - Can These Bones Live?
[37:03] - The Power of Prophecy and Speaking God’s Word
[39:13] - Outward Appearance vs. True Life
[40:09] - The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
[41:18] - God’s Allegory for His People
[45:33] - God’s Promise of New Life
[47:34] - Participating in God’s Work
[50:00] - The Power of Persistent Prayer
[53:02] - Signs of Life in the Community
[54:05] - Speaking God’s Promises Over Our Lives
[57:39] - Responding to God’s Call
[60:40] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ezekiel 37:1-14 (ESV) —
> 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. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
> ...
> (Read the full passage: Ezekiel 37:1-14)

Observation Questions

In Ezekiel’s vision, what was the condition of the bones in the valley, and what did this represent for the people of Israel?
What did God command Ezekiel to do in the valley, and what happened when Ezekiel obeyed?
After the bones came together and were covered with flesh, what was still missing before they truly came to life?
According to the passage, what does God promise to do for His people who feel cut off and hopeless?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” instead of just telling him what would happen? What does this reveal about God’s desire for our faith and participation?
The sermon mentioned that outward appearance is not enough—true life comes only through the Spirit. How does this challenge the way we sometimes approach church or our own spiritual lives?
The Israelites believed their story was over, but God declared a different ending. What does this teach us about the difference between our perspective and God’s promises?
Persistent prayer was described as the foundation for awakening and renewal. Why do you think God often works through long seasons of prayer before bringing revival?

Application Questions

The Israelites felt “cut off” and hopeless, but God saw potential for new life. Are there areas in your life, family, or community where you feel like hope is gone? What would it look like to trust God to bring new life there?
God told Ezekiel to speak His word over the dry bones, not his own opinions. Are there situations where you tend to speak words of discouragement or defeat? How can you begin to speak God’s promises instead?
The sermon said we can “look alive” but still be lifeless without the Holy Spirit. Are there ways you’ve been relying on outward activity or busyness instead of seeking a fresh filling of God’s Spirit? What needs to change?
Persistent, humble prayer was described as the groundwork for God’s movement. Is there a regular prayer habit or group you could join or start to pray for renewal in your life or church? What’s stopping you?
The message challenged us to align our words and expectations with God’s truth, not with discouragement. What is one specific promise from God’s Word you need to start declaring over your life this week?
The vision ends with a vast army standing together, not just individuals. How can you help build unity and faith in our church or community, especially among those who feel disconnected or discouraged?
The pastor said, “God is not finished with us.” What is one step you can take this week to prepare for what God wants to do—whether it’s praying, serving, or encouraging someone else?

Sermon Clips

You can look alive and be dead. Right? I've known churches that spent a lot of money trying to look like they were alive. All they did was hide the fact that they were dead being bones. Jesus talks about that. After they come together, then he tells Ezekiel, now they need the breath. You know what the breath is? The word for breath is the Spirit of God. It's the same as the Holy Spirit coming in. And what did he do with Adam and Eve? With Adam, he breathed into him the breath of God. He was flesh and bone before that. But he has a Spirit within him. He breathed into him the Holy Spirit. We can look alive. We can act alive. We can look real pretty. But we're going to need the Holy Spirit for what comes next. We're going to need the Holy Spirit of God for what's going to happen. [00:39:13] (67 seconds) #SpiritBreathGivesLife

He's talking to a group of people who miss what they once had, who don't have what they used to have anymore, and they look at the world around them, it's just going on with things, and acting like what they had wasn't important. And he's telling them, you will live again. I will give new birth to what you're worried about. [00:45:18] (24 seconds) #NewLifeInSpirit

And I hear God prophesying and saying, no, you're not done. I'm going to give new life. I'm going to put my spirit within you. I'm going to watch you rise up, stand on your feet, and become a vast army for God. [00:46:51] (23 seconds) #ProphesyWithScripture

What does it say about you? It says that he who is within you is greater than he who is within the world. So why are we worried about he who is within the world? Why do we spend so much time focused on the work of evil when God says that his spirit within you is greater than he who is within the world? [00:47:54] (22 seconds) #DependOnHolySpirit

What you're about to do, you can't do on your own. So don't try to figure it out. Don't try to go and do it. You need the breath of God, the Holy Spirit of God working through you to do it. Anything less will just cause frustration and anxiety. You know how frustrating it is to do in your own power what God is wanting to do through the Holy Spirit? That means you're trying to play God. [00:48:29] (27 seconds) #RestInGodsPower

``Let's start speaking what God is speaking over our lives. He doesn't say that you've been conquered. He says that you're more than a conqueror. He says that you're the head and not the tail. He says that you're above and not beneath. He says that you are precious in his sight he says that you are worthy of all that he is doing in this he says that you are his child and that he who is within you is greater than he who is within the world he says that you have all resources that you need to do what he's calling you to do. [00:54:08] (37 seconds) #RiseUpInFaith

If I've missed it altogether, then in spite of me, hear what God is saying to your heart. And let's take time to really solidify that by responding to what He's saying to us today as the choir leads us. Amen. Amen. Amen. [00:57:50] (67 seconds)

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