There are times in our lives when we feel like nothing but a pile of dead, dry bones. It might be a time of grief or loss or disaster. Whatever it is, it leaves us as helpless as a dead man—unable to breathe, to rise, or to do a single thing to change our lives for the better.
At a time like that, what help is there? Only the Lord—only the One who raises the dead to life again, without expecting them to make a single move to help themselves. You can see that in this story: God speaks to the dead, dry bones, and every phrase He speaks is “I will.” God says, “I will cause breath to enter you … I will lay sinews on you … I will cover you with skin… I will, I will, I will.” God never says “You will” until the very end, when He says, “You shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”
This is what we truly need, isn’t it? Not a pep talk. Not thoughts and prayers. Not even the best human help of doctors and social workers and therapists. We need the One who makes the dead alive again by His own power and love. We need the One who laid down His own life on the cross for our sakes—and then rose again, so that we, too, may have real life.
WE PRAY: Lord, You know that I can do nothing by myself. Please help and save me. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Reflection Questions:
1. Think to yourself about a time when you felt totally helpless.
2. Who helped you? Why?
3. Why does God give us so much without expecting us to do anything to contribute to our own salvation?