Dry Bones Shall Live | Rev Dr S.O. James

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EZEKIEL 37: 1 – 14
(National Prayer Service)
INTRODUCTION
Today has been set apart to pray for our nation. There is no doubt that our nation is in crisis. Things are not right. To many people, we are a nation without hope. Someone even said sometimes ago that we are “a failed nation.” Sincerely, for many youths, our land seems to provide no hope and no future.

Our primary and secondary educations are in ruin. The Universities are in shambles. Gone are those days when academic is a thing of pride; When you are a champion if you are a graduate. We live today in a nation where Medical Doctors and lawyers are jobless, where graduates are offered Keke Napep (tricycle) and motorcycles for empowerment.

Our economy has collapsed, and life is becoming unbearable for many. Many of our political leaders have become selfless, callous and heartless; very insensitive to the need and plight of the masses. The citizens, on the other hand, are growing helpless, hopeless and godless.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further deepened our woes. With total and partial lockdown, everything has become abnormal. Economy, education and even life have shut down without any hope of quick recovery. Where do we go from here? Is there any hope? Can this country be united again? Can we still experience economic boom and prosperity? Can we ever realize our dream of a “Great people ….Great Nation?”

Ezekiel and others in exile were in a similar state of despair, wickedness and frustration. The news of the fall of Jerusalem was a great blow. Thus, they concluded (vs 11) … …
• Our bones are dried up
• Our hope is gone
• We are cut off

This was their submission and perhaps that of many of us as we think of the situation in our land in time like this.
I. DIVINE IDENTIFICATION WITH HUMAN DESPAIR/HOPELESSNESS – vs 1 – 2
It was at such a time of hopelessness and helpless that God took Ezekiel and led him back and forth in the valley of dry bones. This was a divine identification of the situation at hand.
Note the description:
• Middle of a valley
• Full of bones
• A great many bones
• Very dry bones

II. PATHWAY TO THE TURNING POINT
1. The hands of the Lord upon you – vs. 1
2. Recognizing/Affirming God’s sovereignty – vs. 2 – 3 – God asked his servant the question “Can these dry bones live?” God is asking us the same question in our situation as a nation.
3. Divine command (obedience despite the situation): Despite the hopelessness, God commanded his prophet to prophesy and speak positively to the situation. We must stop negative proclamation over our nation; it is time to prophesy glory and great things over the land.
4. Prophesying what the sovereign Lord says – vs. 4, 5

III. TURNING DRY BONES INTO A VAST ARMY
Experiencing the power of live vs. 7ff
1. Power of relocation/Reorganization and repositioning – vs. 7
• There was a great noise, a rattling sound.
• The bones came together (the gathering);
• Bone to bone
2. Power of Recreation – vs. 8
• Tendon and flesh appeared
• Skin covered them
3. Power of Resurrection/Life – vs. 8b – 10
• Breath came from the four winds
• Breath entered them, and they live
4. Power of Restoration – vs. 10b
• They stood up on their feet
• A vast Army
IV. THE DIVINE DECLARATION – VS. 12 – 14
Remember, he is the sovereign Lord. He said … O my people:
• I am going to open your graves.
• I will bring you up from them (grave).
• I will bring you back to the land of Israel.
• Then you will know I am the Lord.
• I will put my spirit in you.
• You will live.
• I will settle you in your own land.