Speaking Life in the Valley of Dry Bones
Summary
In my sermon, I discussed the struggle of feeling placed in a situation or job that feels devoid of life and purpose, much like being in a valley of dry bones. I emphasized that even in these seemingly dead situations, God has a purpose and a plan. I used the biblical story of Ezekiel prophesying to the dry bones as an illustration of this. I stressed that even when we don't understand why we are in a certain situation or how it could possibly improve, we are called to trust in God and speak life into our circumstances. I also highlighted the importance of speaking only what God has spoken, not our own words or desires.
Key takeaways:
- God often places us in challenging situations for a purpose, even if we can't see it at the time.
- We are called to trust in God and speak life into our circumstances, even when they seem dead and hopeless.
- It's important to speak only what God has spoken, not our own words or desires. [ 25:33]
- The act of prophesying is not about predicting the future, but about speaking under the influence of a divine spirit.
- God is the one who backs up His word, not us. When we declare His word, He ensures it does not return void.
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Ezekiel 37:1-14 #!!25:33!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What is the significance of God asking Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones?
2. How does Ezekiel respond to God's command to prophesy to the dry bones?
3. What happens when Ezekiel prophesies as God commanded?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the valley of dry bones represent in this passage?
2. What does the breath that God commands Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones symbolize?
3. How does this passage illustrate God's power to bring life to dead situations?
Application Questions:
1. Can you identify a "valley of dry bones" in your life right now? How can you prophesy life into this situation?
2. How can you apply the principle of speaking life, as Ezekiel did, into your daily interactions?
3. How can you rely on God's power, like Ezekiel did, when facing seemingly impossible situations?
4. How can you ensure that your words and actions align with God's commands, as demonstrated by Ezekiel's obedience?
5. How can this passage inspire you to have hope in situations where it seems like hope is lost?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing God's Placement
God places us in situations that may seem dead and dry, but it is in these places that He wants us to prophesy life. We may question why we are in certain jobs or situations, but it is in these valleys of dry bones that God wants us to speak life and hope. He has a purpose for us in these places, and it is our duty to trust Him and speak His words of life into these situations ([25:33]).
Ezekiel 37:1-4 - "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 he said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones and say to them, dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!'"
Reflection: Reflect on a situation in your life that seems dead and dry. How can you speak life and hope into this situation?
Day 2: The Power of God's Word
God's word has the power to bring life to dead situations. When we speak His word, we are not speaking our own thoughts or desires, but the very words of God that have the power to bring life and transformation. We may not understand how it will happen, but we can trust that God's word will not return void ([25:33]).
Isaiah 55:11 - "So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Reflection: What is a situation in your life where you need to speak God's word? How can you trust in the power of His word in this situation?
Day 3: The Call to Prophesy
God calls us to prophesy, to speak His words under the influence of His Spirit. This is not about predicting the future, but about speaking God's truth and life into the present. When we prophesy, we are partnering with God to bring His kingdom to earth ([25:33]).
1 Corinthians 14:1 - "Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy."
Reflection: How can you grow in your understanding and practice of prophesying? What is one situation where you can begin to speak God's truth and life?
Day 4: Trusting God's Promises
God promises to bring life to dead situations. He promises to open graves and bring His people into their own land. We can trust in these promises, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His word ([25:33]).
Ezekiel 37:12-14 - "Therefore prophesy and say to them: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.'"
Reflection: What is a promise from God that you need to hold onto in this season? How can you remind yourself of this promise and trust in God's faithfulness?
Day 5: Representing God Well
God is looking for people who will represent Him well, who will speak His words and not their own. He is looking for people who will declare His word faithfully, trusting in His power to bring it to pass. We are called to be these people, to represent God well in the world ([25:33]).
2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Reflection: How can you represent God well in your current situation? What does it look like for you to declare His word faithfully?
Quotes
1. "Why have you put me in a job where it's dead everywhere? I'd rather be in a church full of people that are praising you and worshipping and lifting you up and you've given me a job smack dab in the middle of a valley where dry bones and death are everywhere. Why in the world would you give me this job?" - 20:49
2. "God puts him right smack dab in the middle of dead things, ask him a question that he could possibly not know the answer to. And then he says, prophesy to these bones and you say to them, oh dry bones, listen to this. Here, the word of the Lord." - 20:49
3. "Ain't no dry bone going to listen to Daniel Prince. Ain't no dry bone going to listen to anybody on this earth, but you listen to the voice of the Father, the voice who created it." - 20:49
4. "God wants to speak alive to his people once again. God is sick and tired of so-called name and claim it, prophets who give them self a title and give them self an understanding and a knowledge that's not from him." - 20:49
5. "And I prophesied. I didn't understand it. I didn't know what God was going to do. I didn't know that these bones were going to come together. I didn't know that God was going to bring life into them. I didn't know what God was going to do." - 20:49
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