Inspired by Ezekiel 37:1-10
In a vision God took him up in His hand
And carried him far across strange distant lands
But the Spirit took him to a place he had known
The valley he knew which was full of bones
The Spirit showed him and made him to pass
Around and see them from the first to the last
Tumbled and jumbled and tangled they lay
Dusty and dry in the hot sun that day
They had lain here and dried for many long years
Too dry to feel any hopes, dreams, or fears
So long in the sun, they were so very dry
In the dirt and the grass, beneath the clear sky
The LORD showed him all and then spoke unto him
Concerning the bones so dead and so grim
He asked Ezekiel an answer to give
“Son of man, can these bones ever live?”
Ezekiel looked down at the carnage and sand
And knowing that he was just a mere man
He said to the LORD and answered him so:
LORD you’re the only one who really could know.
Lift up your voice with a message I send
To these bones, and tell them it’s not the end
Though they be dry, and scattered, and torn
Through the word that I send they shall be reborn
Thus sayeth the LORD to the dead in this vale
Though you have lain here desecrated and stale
I will renew your strength, and give you my breath
And bring you again unto life from this death
I will rebuild you and order your bones
And replace the sinew and flesh so long gone
I’ll bring the flesh and cover with skin
And breath into you that ye live once again.
I am the LORD and this ye shall know
When life is returned, and blood starts to flow
I am the Lord who after the strife
Will restore, renew, and give you new life.
So Ezekiel did as the LORD had said
And began to preach to the dry and dead
A noise was heard among the stones
As the bones assembled, bone to his bone
The skeletons formed, each cold bony frame
Was built again as the members each came
Then sinew and flesh began to appear
Muscle and tendon to each did adhere
Skin stretched across these bodies to cover
To contain, hide, and protect them all over
But there was no breath, these to life give
The flesh insufficient to make the dead live
Then said the Lord, “to the wind now speak”
From every direction come breath on these weak
And withered souls so dry and long-scattered
Give new life to the ones who were shattered
So he spoke a prayer to the Spirit wind
Amazed, he saw them stirring again
They lived as the prophet lifted his prayer
And stood on their feet, an army prepared
An army prepared, strong and ready for battle
No longer bones that shiver and rattle
An army prepared to fight for their LORD
Which stood at attention, and in one accord
They waited there, silent, for God’s will to know
For the Word that would come and tell them to go
Men strong and valiant to conquer the world
Under His banner, majestic, unfurled.
Oh Christian who’s weary, defeated and worn
You think it’s all over, you’re mortally torn
And wounded and weak from a battle you lost
Not ready, or willing to again bear the cost.
Hear ye the preaching of God’s chosen man
Who’s brought a new message of God’s perfect plan
Get strength and new power and fresh-given grace
The LORD has a mission, a time and a place
Though your bones be now dry, and you feel there’s no hope
Though you stumble and fall and, and crawl and grope
God is not finished; you’re his soldier and child
God wants to revive, renew, reconcile
God has new life and his Spirit indwells
To revive and renew, as you drink from His well
His Word there to guide, His fire in your heart
The LORD will restore you and grant a new start.
A man, a church, a nation restored
And back in the battle is the will of the LORD.
Preaching and prayer and The Spirit to fill
Put you back in the battle and into God’s will.
James L Frady, June 29, 2023
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