Dry Bones

Ezekiel 37:5-6 (The Message)

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!"

Have you ever felt as if your body was falling apart? Whether in sickness or weariness? Well, I have sleep problems. Not just problems, Chronic Insomnia. It is something I have to see a sleep specialist about and take sleeping pills for. Let me just say that it is not fair that I have a 6 month old baby that sleeps 8-12 hours and I still can’t get more than 4 hours of good sleep. After a rough night my body is shaky, my head is pounding, and just walking feels like a workout! It has been particularly bad lately and I finally poured out my concern about my body to a dear friend of mine. She reminded me of the story in which the Lord told Ezekiel to prophecy over a field of dry bones. The field represented a decaying Israel who felt as if they had no hope. But even in their death, the Lord showed His power! Ezekiel prophesied and watched as flesh formed over those dry bones and the bodies were filled with breath! God said, “Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live (verse 13).”

Oh, I have read this verse a dozen times over the last few days! Whether you are sick in mind, soul, or body, the Lord sees your dry bones and will breathe life into you!

Apparently, there is also a children’s song about this. I searched for songs about Dry Bones and stumbled upon the familiar tune (“The foot bone is connected to the leg bone, the leg bone is connected to knee bone, Oh hear the Word of the Lord!”) I honestly had no memory of this song being Christian. I only remembered pointing to various body parts thinking the actions were fun while singing. This is a good reminder that you have an opportunity to teach your kids important Bible stories through song and other activities. But, don’t get so lost in the fun that they miss the point of the story! Be honest with them, they just might think that God bringing bones to life is awesome and want to hear more.

And now Lord, I ask you to help these dry bones of mine to sleep! Amen.