“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.” (Ezek. 37:6)
ESTHER WAS ONE of our youth group’s favorite people to see on their Service Saturdays. That’s when they were split up into teams to help elderly neighbors with household chores. One Saturday after a blizzard, the team visiting Esther’s house was shocked to see her front stoop and walkway covered by a few feet of snow. Esther must have been housebound since the blizzard began on Tuesday, because there were no signs the snow had been disturbed. Eddie, the adult leader of the team, broke through the snow and began calling Esther’s name as he knocked on her door. In a moment, Esther appeared at her picture window, smiling as she recognized the group. “To see you today, in the flesh—it’s all I can hope for,” she said when she opened the door.
God promised Ezekiel that the dry bones he saw around him would be fleshed out and come to life. It indicated that He would restore Israel after its long season of being buried in a storm of upheaval.
Our youth group didn’t leave Esther hoping for help but arrived in the flesh to deliver what she needed. In much the same way, God promised to “flesh out” the hope He was planting in Ezekiel. His people, then and today, need His strength and His breath of life.
Find three people this week for whom you can be fleshed-out hope.
Steve Wamberg is a husband, dad, writer, and pastor who loves preaching, teaching, music, coffee, and Nebraska football.
© 2017 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
