It was a filthy gully
Filled with the dead
Not a sign of life anywhere
Not a single reason for hope
“Can these dead live?”
He asked me and I wondered
What a question? Can the dead
Live again who have no life in them?
We all just emerged from a year that took so many lives. The graves are still fresh reminders of our buried hopes and loved ones that will never be recovered again. Many of us welcomed 2021 still reeling from the losses of 2020. Many of us are still afraid of what this new year that started out quite dramatic will bring to or take from us. The uncertainties are real and very frightening for so many.
It is in times like this when utter hopelessness surrounds that God’s voice can be heard if we listen for it, asking each of us, “Can these dead bones live again?” Overwhelmed by our circumstances and confusions, many of us are responding in line with our observations forgetting that the God who is asking is the One who gives life and makes all things new. God is not asking us because He does not see what we see. Neither is He asking so we can repeat the obvious. God’s question is seeking to awaken sleeping faith: rousing us to believe that with God, the dead can live again. And if we can believe it, then we can receive it.
If there is anything I have learned in life, it is that faith comes most handy when things do not go as expected. When we do not know what to do and which way to go. When we cannot make it on our own. Faith works miracles if we will remember to call it to action. It doesn’t matter what you are seeing and thinking of the world and your circumstances, you need to take your eyes off those and fix them on the One with whom nothing is impossible. He can turn things around and make all things right. But we must believe in spite of what we are facing.
In times like this, I recall the Scripture that says, “… but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Daniel 11:32b, NKJV. Difficulties present opportunities for faith to rise and thrive so we can do exploits that bring glory to God. Will you take your eyes away from all that is not working and look to the Lord? Will you answer the questions that life and God is bringing our way with faith? His grace is enough to help us to live faith despite all we face. May our faith live and not die like all that is dying around us. In fact, may our living faith quicken all that is dying around us. Amen.
Blessings
Glory!