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Ezekiel 37:13, 14 - Relief for the Weary Soul.

Ezekiel 37:13, 14 (NIV) Then you, my people, 
will know that I am the Lord, when I open your 
graves and bring you up from them. 14 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.'"  

INTRODUCTION

   God gave Ezekiel a vision of a valley of 
death and directed him to speak life into the dry 
bones that littered the landscape. It looked 
impossible, but the prophet knew God can do anything. He 
is the source of life, the restorer of lost 
blessings, the God for whom nothing is impossible. As 
Ezekiel prophesied, the bones formed into skeletons, 
became covered with skin, were given breath and 
gathered into a vast army. What was once hopelessly 
dead was powerfully alive.  
   That's how God works, not just in 
restoring his people Israel from captivity in Babylon 
but in the circumstances of our lives today, He 
revives lost promises, breathes life into hopeless 
situations and calls us back into fruitfulness. When we 
are on the verge of losing hope, we need to 
remember that nothing is impossible with God. [NIV 
Once A Day Bible] 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   How has our nation become so dry in its 
devotion to God? The answer is simple - we have gone 
to other things for refreshment. We have sought 
ways of encouraging ourselves without God. We 
have turned and walked in the opposite direction, 
thinking that we will try something new and it will 
satisfy our needs. We will the emptiness of our 
lives with people instead of God, and immediately 
they become like gods to us. Then, before we know 
it, they have done something to disappoint us, 
and we immediately feel betrayed and defeated. 
   In a nation that has the greatest 
material advantages, we want more and expect to get 
it. We're no longer satisfied with simple things 
- we have to have the latest flat-screen 
television. We have the newest computer that plays more 
songs and that does more that we will ever use, 
and still we cry out for more. We have flashier 
cars, larger homes, walk-in closets with shelves 
filled with clothing that we cannot even remember 
buying. We repaint rooms in our houses, purchase new 
furniture, and still feel empty, alone, and in debt. 
   Only God has the ability to satisfy the 
deepest longing in our hearts. Sure, it is fun to 
wear a new shirt and feel as though you are 
looking your best. God is not against this. In fact, 
He wants us to do well in this life. However, 
He wants us to love Him above all things. He 
gives good things to His children, but when the 
good things become objects of worship, we find 
that we are headed for trouble. 
   God will allow us to drift until we wake 
up and realize that our needs cannot be 
satisfied by anything or anyone other than God 
Himself. A new marriage or a new baby will not 
relieve the pressure. Many times it only makes it 
worse. 
   You can stop the dryness in your life by 
telling the Lord what you are facing and how you 
feel. He understands your needs, but He also knows 
that the only way you truly will find refreshment 
and hope that lasts is by living your life for 
Him. [Alternative View with Dr. Tony Evans; 
https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/alternative-view-with-dr-tony-evans/] 

COMMENTARY

   Only God can restore life to something 
that has died. If you find that your heart has 
grown cold to God, that the spiritual life of your 
family or church has waned, call out to God to 
revive you, for only He can give life. It is not 
your activity but your relationship with God that 
brings life! 
   Spiritual fervor can ebb if left 
unattended. We all begin our walk with the Lord 
enthusiastically, with an excited sense of anticipation. But 
over time, busyness creeps in. We become 
distracted and let our sin go unchallenged. We may take 
our relationship with God for granted and not 
notice the gradual decline until we find ourselves 
drained of spiritual vitality. 
   This descent can happen in your church 
just as it does in your personal life. Do you 
remember a time when the Holy Spirit was moving 
mightily in your church, and the members sensed God 
leading in an exciting direction? Are the services 
now lifeless and the power of God only a 
memory? 
   At a time like this it is futile to try 
to bring back life yourself. You can organize 
many activities and exhort those around you, but 
only God can resurrect what is dead. If God has 
initiated something in your life, or family, or 
church, only He can sustain it or revive it. If you 
sense that the spiritual vigor has gone out of 
your life or the life of your church, this is 
Gods invitation to pray. He wants you to 
intercede with Him so that He might revive His work. 
Jesus said that He is Life. It is unnecessary to 
remain spiritually lifeless when He has promised 
vibrant, abundant life if you will claim it. 
[Experiencing God Day by Day by Henry and Richard Blackaby 
re Hab. 3:2] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC

Matthew 10:39 - Living for Jesus or for Self?

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200202-0944.html 

Luke 16:13 - Living for Jesus.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201019-1000.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor 
(live now): https://www.revelationnow.com/ 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio (recent): 
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657