Breathe New Life

This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: ”I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.” – (Ezekiel 37:5–6, NIV)

This is what the Lord God says to you: “I will cause breath to come into you, and you will come to life! I will put sinew and muscles on you, and I will cover you with skin. Then I will put breath in you, and you will come back to life! Then you will know that I am the Lord.” – (Ezekiel 37:5-6, ERV)

God, the Master, told the dry bones, “Watch this: I’m bringing the breath of life to you and you’ll come to life. I’ll attach sinews to you, put meat on your bones, cover you with skin, and breathe life into you. You’ll come alive and you’ll realize that I am God!” – (Ezekiel 37:5-6, MSG)

If God can call an army of dead bones to life, He can bring life to the places in our lives that seem lifeless, hopeless, or simply beyond what we can handle on our own. As I await a surgery date and dread the process that looms ahead, I can trust that God will carry me through. The same God that breathed life into a valley of dry bones, knit me together in my mother’s womb. He knows the number of hairs on my head and can restore anything that is out of alignment. Sometimes, He moves miraculously, and other times, He utilizes modern medicine and people to perform that which was seemingly impossible a few decades ago. Despite my anxiousness for what lies before me, I know I can trust in Him to be with me, hold me up, and restore what is not as it should be. May we ever seek the Lord when we find ourselves in a seeming valley of dry bones, and trust in Him to do far more than we ever thought possible.

When in the valley,

That’s lifeless and dry;

God can breathe new life,

Hope we can’t deny.

He is light and life,

When things may seem dim;

He brings help and peace,

As we let Him in.

Keep seeking the Lord,

His love is for all;

Our great Provider,

Hears us when we call.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are faithful to listen to our every prayer, and that You can do exceedingly more than we could hope or imagine. Thank You that You are life and breath, hope and help, throughout all of our days. Forgive us for seeing only the dry and lifelessness in the valleys, rather than the opportunities for You to do something new and miraculous. Teach us how to trust and depend on You in all things and at all times. Show us how to love those around us well, so that we can be extensions of Your life and love, peace and hope. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we watch for You to move in the places that seem overwhelmingly desolate. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. – Genesis 2:7

Restoring Joy

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. – (Psalm 51:12, NIV)

Your help made me so happy. Give me that joy again. Make my spirit strong and ready to obey You. – (Psalm 51:12, ERV)

Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy in every breakthrough You bring to me. Hold me close to You with a willing spirit that obeys whatever You say. – (Psalm 51:12, TPT)

 

Currently, I am on our Sisterhood Retreat with my church. It is a time for the ladies to gather, connect, worship and grow together. Interestingly, it seems that each time there is intentional gathering to connect, the very words of this verse come to life for those who had been walking in a dry and weary place. We have been created for relationships. God intended that we not walk the path set before us, alone. He is gracious and kind, and provides people to surround and walk beside us, if we are only willing to invest and allow others in. Part of maintaining a passion and a joy in who God has created us to be and our ability to obey what He asks, come from the strength we gain through the blessing of being connected. I have found that this applies in every area of my life, be it at home, work, church, my neighborhood, the community or any other place I find Him leading.  The more invested and connected I am, the more my joy remains, despite the circumstances that come and go. May we ever seek the Lord to restore and uphold the joy of our salvation, and lead us to the connections that encourage and strengthen us as we walk out each day.

 

Oh Lord, may we come, fb_img_15400123159817887031286001252606.jpg

With hearts seeking You;

Restore unto us,

Your joy that is true.

Joy that is lasting,

Despite ups and downs;

A heart that’s certain,

Of Your rightful crown.

Make our hearts willing,

To trust and obey;

Surround us with those,

Seeking do the same.

O Lord, You are good,

All joy’s found in You;

Restore any space,

That need be renewed.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us unto Yourself so that we may know the depth of joy found in a hope and future in You. Thank You that You have created us for relationships and You provide us opportunities to invest and deepen them as we pursue the path that You have placed before us. Forgive us for not seeking You to restore our joy when it feels lost, or for retreating when You call us to move boldly and invest in those whom You have placed around us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would be routinely restored as we walk in obedience to all that You ask. Show us how to love those around us in a way that strengthens and spreads joy. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to restore and uphold the joy we have in our hope in You, and strengthen our relationships as we willingly step out and obey that which You ask of us. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. – Psalm 28:7