Anglican Devotional 13 August 2022 – Hope In Hopelessness

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 13 August 2022 – Hope In Hopelessness

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TOPIC: Hope In Hopelessness

TEXT: Ezekiel 37:1-14 (NKJV)

1. The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it [was] full of bones.
2. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, [there were] very many in the open valley; and indeed [they were] very dry.
3. And He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” So I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.”
4. Again He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
5. ‘Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live.
6. “I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I [am] the LORD.” ‘ “
7. So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.
8. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but [there was] no breath in them.
9. Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ‘ “
10. So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
11. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’
12. “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
13. “Then you shall know that I [am] the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.
14. “I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken [it] and performed [it,”] says the LORD.’ “

THE MESSAGE:

As recorded in today’s text, Prophet Ezekiel, by the Holy Spirit, saw in a vision, a valley which was full of very dry bones. God asked him if the bones could live and he responded, ‘O Lord God, You know’ (verse 3). What a smart response! Ezekiel could easily relate with bringing dead bodies back to life but not dry bones. It was indeed a hopeless case! Bones represent both the house of Israel and Judah in exile that was without hope when they were scattered among foreigners. God’s instruction to Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones that they would live gave hope of restoring Israel both politically and spiritually.

This implies that Israel would be restored to become a living and vibrant nation again despite their seemingly impossible and hopeless situation. Your situation could be as hopeless as the dry bones. Everything in and around you may have confirmed that the issue is beyond redemption and as a result, you may have surrendered to fate. When God intervenes, cases like yours magnify the power of God to reverse the irreversible and make the impossible to be possible. Nothing is beyond the redemptive power of God. There is need to keep trusting God and be full of confidence that your story will change and uncommon testimony will come.

PRAYER: O Lord, in Your power let all concluded cases of impossibility in my life and nation be made possible today in Jesus’ Name.