Can These Bones Live?

Is there anything deader than a dry bone? Is there anything more symbolic of life past all hope of redemption?

Ever since mankind listened to the voice of the liar in the garden (“You shall not surely die.”) and we chose to become our own gods, our world has been filled with dry bones. Death surrounds us. Spiritual, physical, mental, relational—death on all levels remains the consequence of our poor choices. And yet, because of Christ, we are not without hope.

In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God takes the prophet to a valley filled with dry bones, most likely the scene of some ancient battlefield. God questions Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?”

“Only you know the answer to that, Lord,” he responds.

Good answer.

In our human state, we look at a situation like that and say, “No. These bones can’t live. They are dead. They are dry. The life went out of them long ago. No way they can live, Lord.” But is there anything too hard for God?

Are there dry bones in your life today? Are there people or relationships or situations that seem way past any hope of saving? Take heart, friends. Listen to the words of our God who breathes life:

God, the Master, told the dry bones, “Watch this: I’m bringing the breath of life to you, and you’ll come to life. I’ll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You’ll come alive and you’ll realize that I am God!”

Ezekiel 37: 5-6 MSG

Maybe it’s time to call out to those dry bones in your life and allow the Giver of Life to breathe them back to life. After all, nothing is impossible with God.

But we know that you are God
Yours is the victory
We know there is more to come
That we may not yet see
So with the faith you’ve given us
We’ll step into the valley unafraid, yeah

As we call out to dry bones
Come alive, come alive
We call out to dead hearts
Come alive, come alive
Up out of the ashes
Let us see an army rise
We call out to dry bones, come alive.

Come Alive (Dry Bones) by Michael Farren, Lauren Daigle