The Lord set Ezekiel down in the midst of the valley of dry bones. Many Christian workers believe that the Lord has also done this same thing for them! He has given them a dry-bone ministry in the valley of death. They have been called to be the Lord's messengers to dry bones. How many dear pastors are preaching to congregations Sunday after Sunday, with no apparent sign of life, whether among the professing Christians or sinners under the wrath of God.

When challenged by Jehovah to believe that this great valley of dry bones could come to life, the prophet of God answered, "Oh, Lord God, Thou knowest." I don't know exactly what Ezekiel meant by this reply, but I can only give you my experience. How many times we have preached our hearts out, fasted and prayed, without any sign of spiritual movement whatsoever in our congregation or in our mission field of dry bones. Heartbroken and discouraged, we have fallen to our knees, with tears streaming down our faces, we have cried, "Oh, God, Thou knowest we have preached our heart out. Oh, God, Thou knowest we have travailed in spiritual childbirth. Oh, God, Thou knowest we have sounded the alarm faithfully. Yet, we see no sign of life. Oh, Lord, Thou knowest we can do no more."

Possibly, the prophet referred the question back to God for an answer. "Oh, Lord God, Thou alone knowest. If these are ever made to live, Thou wilt have to tell us how." In this chapter, God proceeds to give the answer as to how dry bones in all places may be made to live.

In the first place, one commissioned to raise dry bones must have a special preparation. This preparation is two-fold: he must see a vision of God and must feel the touch of God upon his life. In the first chapter, we're told that Ezekiel saw visions of God (1:1). In the vision under consideration, Ezekiel feels the touch of God: "The hand of the Lord being upon me" (Rotherham). The hand of the Lord symbolizes His power, and to be under His hand is to be endued with His power. The Spirit of God is in every Christian for life, but every Christian is not under God's hand for power. The prophet responds to the touch of God and follows where He leads: "The hand of the Lord was upon me and carried me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones." He was willing to be led by the Lord's hand, even into a valley of dry bones. The temptation for every Christian worker is to seek a fruitful vineyard and shun the valley of death. How blessed it is to labor under the Spirit's control.

The prophet also responds when God's hand sets him down in the midst of the bones. He was made to feel the mighty impact of death. "And He caused me to pass near them round about on every side" (Rotherham). Ezekiel wasn't allowed to look at them from a distance. Dwelling with bones is more trying than just going to them on a visit. To have bones for neighbors and companions may not be very pleasant. We love rather to live with a company of living people. But unless we are ready to respond to the hand of God which would lead us to the bones and make us dwell among them, we're not prepared for the work of raising them to life. The work can't be done from a distance. The Holy Ghost would never have used General and Mrs. William Booth, the early Salvationists, had they not been willing to settle down in the midst of those whom they were called to help.

The Lord said to Ezekiel, "Go round about these bones and take in the scene." By taking in the scene, he received a mighty burden for his congregation. My brother and my sister, until you feel the burden upon your heart concerning the spiritual desolation of the people whom you serve, you're not ready for the resurrection ministry.

This is copyrighted material from James Stewart's book Come O Breath, available from Revival Literature, PO Box 6068, Asheville, NC 28816.