Can These Bones Live?
The prophet Ezekiel stood in a valley filled with dry bones—dead, long gone, and scattered across the floor. From a human perspective, the situation was beyond hopeless. These bones didn’t just lack life; they represented a state of complete desolation. Yet when God asked Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?” Ezekiel didn’t look to the bones for hope; he looked to God:
“O Lord God, you know.” — Ezekiel 37:3
Ezekiel had no confidence in the bones, but he did have confidence in God’s power to restore. Only the Lord can breathe life into what is long dead. Only He can bring beauty from ashes, hope from despair, and life from lifelessness.
The dry bones in the valley could never create life within themselves. They were incapable of restoring or reviving on their own. Yet something miraculous happened: as the Word of the Lord was proclaimed over them, they began to receive life.
“Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.” — Ezekiel 37:5
This is a powerful image of God’s restorative power. He speaks, and life is created. He promises, and hope is born.
How often do we look at situations in our lives that seem dead and hopeless—relationships, dreams, friendships, even our own spiritual walk—and trust that God’s restoration power is greater?
Too often, we try to restore our souls and circumstances with worldly things—distractions, people, achievements, or pleasures—that ultimately leave us dry, unsatisfied, and searching for more. The bones in Ezekiel’s vision remind us that life doesn’t come from within ourselves or from the world around us. True life comes when the Word of the Lord is proclaimed, and His Spirit breathes into us.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” — Isaiah 40:8
Are there “dry bones” in your life today? Are there places you’ve labeled as too far gone, as if they are beyond God’s reach? The truth is this:
God’s power is not limited by our circumstances.
God’s Word restores what is broken.
God’s Spirit breathes life into what is dead.
Ezekiel did not know what God planned to do with the bones, but he trusted that God knew. I find myself often in that same position. I don’t always understand God’s plans for my friendships, relationships, or future. I look at situations that feel impossible and wonder how they can be restored.
The future can feel overwhelming and frightening. The unknown terrifies me, and I want answers—clear paths, visible steps. But like Ezekiel, I’m learning to say:
“O Lord God, you know.”
God knows what’s to come. He knows the plans He has for us (Jeremiah 29:11), and His wisdom far surpasses our understanding. The question I must ask myself is:
Is God’s knowledge enough for me?
Can I trust Him to lead me when I feel like I’m walking blind?
When we lean into His Word, His promises, and His character, we can walk forward even in uncertainty. We can trust that He sees the end from the beginning and that His plans are good.
The valley wasn’t covered with just a few bones—it was filled with them. It wasn’t one broken life; it was many. This vision reminds us that God’s restoration is not small or limited. Our God restores individuals, families, communities, and nations.
“I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” — Ezekiel 37:14
We serve a God who restores:
He restores broken hearts.
He restores broken relationships.
He restores nations that seem too far gone.
What may look hopeless to us is not hopeless to Him. Where we see dry bones, God sees a future. Where we see death, God sees new life.
If you find yourself standing in your own valley of dry bones—overwhelmed by a situation that seems beyond repair—remember this:
God knows the end of the story. Trust Him even when you don’t understand.
His Word brings life. Speak His truth over your hopeless places.
The Spirit restores. Invite Him to breathe into the dry and broken areas of your life.
Like Ezekiel, we don’t have to understand the plan to trust the Planner. We don’t have to know the outcome to believe in God’s ability to restore.
“Lord, You alone know the dry places in my life. You see the areas where I feel hopeless, afraid, and weary. I surrender them to You, trusting in Your restoration power. Speak Your Word over these ‘bones,’ and breathe Your Spirit into what feels lifeless. Help me to trust You, even when the future is unknown. You are my hope, my strength, and my God who restores all things. Amen.”
May we be people who believe in God’s ability to restore—even when hope seems long dead. May we trust His Word, His Spirit, and His perfect plan. Our God restores many. Our God restores nations.
