“Mom, I have an idea for a painting.” A spiritual representation of the restorative work of God, the picture had formed in my son’s mind during a worship service and included Ezekiel’s vision of a valley of dry bones. Though this most recent design was out of the ordinary for both Micah and his painting instructor, she willingly coached him from the beginning sketch to the final brushstroke.
Sin destroys. Like an all-consuming fire, its reach can’t be underestimated (Galatians 3:22). Describing the spiritual wasteland of dry bones, the prophet Ezekiel said, “[The Spirit] led me all around among the bones . . . . They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out” (Ezekiel 37:1-2). In this vision, where Ezekiel saw only death, God spoke of restoration (Ezekiel 37:14). When the Lord asked the prophet, “‘Son of man, can these bones become living people again?’” Ezekiel responded, “O Sovereign Lord . . . you alone know the answer to that” (Ezekiel 37:3).
Obeying the Spirit, Ezekiel then told the dried-out, dead bones—without nerves, brain stem, or ears—to listen to the word of the Lord (Ezekiel 37:4). Though it meant speaking what was yet unseen, he believed that what proceeded from the heart of God was greater than any consequence of sin (Rom. 3:23-24). By God’s work, bone came to bone, and sinew and muscles joined with flesh (Ezekiel 37:7-8); then “breath came into their bodies. They all came to life and stood up on their feet—a great army” (Ezekiel 37:10).
In the valley, all had seemed hopeless, barren, and broken. But God’s word restored what sin had stolen (Isaiah 55:3,11). Ezekiel’s vision demonstrates that no matter how widespread the sin, God’s power is greater (Romans 5:20-21).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 18:1-27
More:
Read Jeremiah 31:20-25 and consider the power of God’s restoration.
Next:
If you were to create a painting to represent God’s restorative process in your life, what would it look like? How does the transforming work of the Holy Spirit continue to move you toward wholeness?
Gary Shultz on February 13, 2017 at 5:26 am
Hi Regina: One thing for sure, is the picture I would see would be a process like described, it took form in stages. As a young person I asked God to do whatever had to be done in my life to be His. The colors became darkened for a while, but God never left the process. Even through I struggled badly He was faithful and kept building the bones of my spirit. A lot of back and forth a lot of looking toooo close at sin. By God’s grace, He pulled me through the years and had some lessons to teach me. Even though by cultural standards I’m a senior I still feel like a baby before God. a pretty messy picture indeed, but God began painting more bright colors in my soul, not necessarily my circumstances. Those colors began to slowly show through, and I do believe by now some of the colors God uses can be seen, thank God. Much painting is to be done, but I can see His colors on me and understand who the Master is in my life. Thanks Regina
Monica Brands on February 13, 2017 at 9:35 am
This is a really beautiful testimony, Gary, thanks for sharing.
gagirllive on February 13, 2017 at 10:37 am
Pure gold today, BWO. Thank you!
Regina Franklin on February 13, 2017 at 5:55 pm
Hi Gary–This line that you wrote is full of wisdom–“God began painting more bright colors in my soul, not necessarily my circumstances.” Thank you for sharing–it is a powerful reminder that His redemptive work is about who I am becoming in Him.
godlove on February 14, 2017 at 4:23 am
Thanks for sharing Gary. I pray that one day I, too, will have a similar testimony to share about the restorative power of God in my life, hopefully sooner rather than later 😉
don777 on February 13, 2017 at 6:09 am
Scripture says it all;
John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will[a] have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
+>i 🙂
gagirllive on February 13, 2017 at 10:54 am
Thanks for these scriptures, don777. They all speak of the only One who has the power to give us life.
gagirllive on February 13, 2017 at 10:35 am
This is a different kind of art form, Regina, but right now I see my life as a mosaic. I trust that God is putting all the broken pieces together somehow. Some days it doesn’t look too pretty, but when the Light hits it just right His beauty comes shining through. And for that, I am most grateful. I still have a lot of rough and jagged edges, but He’s not done yet. By the word of His power, He is continuing to make me into His masterpiece…broken piece by broken piece. 🙂 Praise God! Thanks for this today, Regina.
Regina Franklin on February 13, 2017 at 5:50 pm
Great word picture, gagirllive–the Lord does take the brokenness of our lives and make something beautiful of our mess. He restores us with such gentle power–comforting the brokenhearted, proclaiming the good news of His freedom . . . –“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. “[Isa 61:3 NLT]
godlove on February 14, 2017 at 4:31 am
Thanks for sharing GAgirl, it’s encouraging for me to learn how God has worked and is working in older believers. Most comforting is the thought that by God’s power, my own broken pieces can be made into something as beautiful as what I perceive from your comments. Be blessed, dear sister.
gagirllive on February 14, 2017 at 7:06 am
godlove, you’re already a beautiful reflection of God’s redemptive and restorative work. You’re no different from the rest of us on the journey. We’re ALL still “under construction”, my friend. Hold on to Philippians 1: 6—“being confident of this very thing, he who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” How we thank God for that encouragement! Amen? Go forward in faith, dear brother.
pilong56 on February 13, 2017 at 10:42 am
I do believe that the Romans 3.9-18 often say we have sinned as it is written There is none righteous,no not one, There is none who understands.There is none who seeks
after God,They have all turned aside,They have together become unprofitable,They is none who does good ,no not one.Their throat’s an open tomb,with their tongues
they have practiced deceit.The poison of asps is under their,Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness,Their feet are swift to shed blood,Destruction and misery are in
their ways,And the way of peace they have not known.There is no of fear of before their eyes.
love,
Bobby.Park
Regina Franklin on February 13, 2017 at 5:57 pm
Yes, pilong56–even the man or woman with the best intentions is still broken and desperate without Christ.
minkjh on February 13, 2017 at 12:40 pm
“But God’s word restored what sin had stolen”. That’s priceless, Regina. Great testimony to the very first covenant, the Covenant of Redemption, that was ordained before the foundation of the world. A covenant not between God and man, but between Father and Son. There was no coercion or arm-twisting involved between parties as the Son willingly relinquished the glory of heaven temporarily to come to earth as our Savior and Redeemer. With a covenant that was never broken, who could refuse to serve a God so amazing?
Regina Franklin on February 13, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Dear minkjh–When we catch even just a glimpse of the fullness of His love for us, we recognize His goodness. He is a Father without fail, the lover of our souls who will never forsake. Blessings!