The Process Of Decay Part 5

And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."  Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 'Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. "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." 
- Ezekiel 37:3-6 NKJV

Nothing that has gone through all 5 stages of decay should ever be able to live again. All evidence of life has vanished and all that is left are the scattered bones of what once was. Ezekiel knew this when God asked him if these bones could live again. It is apparent in his answer, "O Lord GOD, You know." 

It is easy to look out at the landscape of the American Church and be discouraged. For every positive step we take, it seems like we take three steps backwards. Numerous church leaders have fallen from their positions because of moral failure. Backbiting and gossip run rampant throughout the church world. Just let one church become successful in the territory where they are called and watch as the surrounding churches begin to eat at them and try to tear them down. Denominational walls seem almost insurmountable and do nothing but keep the body of Christ from functioning together as a whole. 

The dry bones of the Body of Christ are lying in the dust and the dirt, content to be isolated from the rest of the body. However, there are sparks of life. In those places where a strong clear prophetic voice has begun to speak the bones are beginning to shake. Connections are being established bone to bone and the body is starting to function the way God has always intended...in unity. 

Here is the hope that we have. Where there is death, God can speak and life begins to awaken. He breathes and the Spirit causes newly formed bodies to breath again. Where piles of isolated bones once laid in the dirt an army suddenly rises up and stands, shoulder to shoulder. This army will not look like any other army throughout history. This army fights with love and compassion. This army takes care of widows and orphans. This army does unto the least of these. 

Can you feel it? The trembling of the ground as the bones rattle and shake under the prophetic word of God? 

An army is coming.

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