Read: Ezekiel 37:1-14

This scripture is the account of Ezekiel’s ecstatic experience where he was led by the spirit of God in a vision to a valley full of dry bones. The purpose was to reveal to Ezekiel the true condition of the hearts of the Israelites in captivity.

There are several things of note in this vision. First, the situation looks entirely impossible. God asks Ezekiel if these dry bones can be made alive again. Ezekiel takes a look around, noting that the bones are completely dried out and answers wisely. “Only you know, O Lord.” It looked impossible.

Secondly, the Israelites had lost hope. They were far away from their homeland, separated from their place of worship and everything they called their own.

God’s message to Ezekiel: this situation isn’t hopeless. I am going to restore these people to their homeland and they will know peace again. But that wasn’t all. In Ezekiel 36:25ff, he says he will give them new hearts. He will replace their unresponsive, stony hearts, with tender, responsive hearts of flesh. And then he will fill the people with his spirit.

Today your situation might look impossible and you have lost hope that anything will ever be different. But God has you in mind. Impossibility to you is possible to him. And his work is complete. He will give you a new heart and restore your good name.

Perhaps the recording in your mind is playing hopeless, desperate words. Change what you listen to and remember that God is always working on your behalf. Here are a few passages to get your thoughts turned around.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last… yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Job 19:25-27

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:26-28