Oct 26

Jesus said that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (John 3:3). Then Jesus goes on to mention the work of the Holy Spirit in accomplishing this new birth, and compares this work to that of the wind:

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit" (v. 8).

It is not enough to open the graves and dig up the bodies. Without the Spirit of God to give life to dead spiritual corpses, all that will succeed in doing is dredging up a putrid odor of past sins and mistakes and failures. This will only bring about more guilt and death, not new life.

If we try to make ourselves over, to come to new life with God, either by doing good works or trying to make amends with God ourselves for our past, we will fail and only make matters worse. But if God is the One who does this, he will succeed where we fail.

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: ' O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them" (Ezek. 37:12,13).

Human psychological counseling may sometimes have some benefits, but without the Spirit of God guiding any soul searching through one's past, such digging up of old wounds will not ultimately bring new life but regret over what should remain dead. Far better to let the Spirit release us from the past and point us ahead to the future of our glory in Christ, while providing healing and support for the present.

Scripture for today: Ezekiel 37:9-14
Thought for today: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Prayer for today: Thank you, Lord, for digging me up from the grave -- not to condemn me but to heal me. Thank you so much for the new life I have in you.

OCT 26