TEXT: Ezekiel 37:1-0
The Christian life is the best life, but it is not a life without burdens, trials, and even seasons spent in valleys. For the child of God, revival is not contingent on our circumstances or current life situations; whether it be on the mountaintop or deep down in a low valley, we can experience personal revival and the blessings that come with it regardless. Even a valley full of dead, dry, divided bones can be transformed into an army for God. There can be victory even in the valley!
“There are no victories at discount prices.”
– General Dwight Eisenhower
1. REALIZE THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD BROUGHT YOU TO THE VALLEY!
v1-2 “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.”
Ezekiel found himself in a valley, but he did not happen to find himself there on accident. The Bible reveals that it was the Lord who positioned the preacher in that place! In the valleys of life, be encouraged by remembering that God’s providence is at work, and He has a purpose!
2. REALIZE THE PRESENCE OF GOD THAT IS WITH YOU IN THE VALLEY!
v3-4 “And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest. Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.”
The Prophet Ezekiel is in the valley, but we find that he is not alone there! The preacher is carrying on a conversation. In the midst of that valley, the same God that had brought him to it was with him in it! In the valley, realize the presence of God that is with you there!
3. REALIZE THE PROVISION OF GOD THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU IN THE VALLEY!
v5-6 “Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.”
As Ezekiel is in the valley he is given orders from the Lord. It is encouraging to see the phrase “I will” over and over in these verses of Scripture. God asked Ezekiel to do something while in the valley, but quickly God reveals to Ezekiel that it would be Him that would perform the task. Everything Ezekiel would need, God would provide. In the midst of the valley, realize the provision of God!
ILLUSTRATION: The news of the result of the Battle of Waterloo was eagerly awaited by the people of Great Britain, for so much depended on it. Somehow or other, the message came with one word short, and only two words got across—”Wellington defeated”. The country was plunged into mourning, and great was the lamentation until the mistake was discovered, and the omitted third word arrived—”Napoleon”—so that it read “Wellington defeated Napoleon”. Their sorrow was turned into joy, and great rejoicings followed the mourning.
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