Revitalizing Your Faith and Congregation

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I recently got some encouragement and insight about revitalizing my faith, the congregation I preach for, and God’s church at large. I found it in a surprising place, so I hope you won’t stop reading when you hear where it was—Ezekiel! To keep this from becoming too long, I’ll share the main ideas and leave it to you to spend time studying this part of the Scripture in more detail if you are seeking revitalization too.

The historical context of Ezekiel 33-37 is the time of the Babylonian captivity (33:21-22). The message contained there was intended both for those in Babylon and those who were left behind in Judah. One unpleasant but important truth the people needed to face was that their difficulties were discipline from God due to their sin (33:10-11; 34:1-10; 36:8-15, 16-20). Although it may be uncomfortable, I believe we should pray and ponder whether the decline of God’s people (churches) in our day is discipline from God for our sin. It is far easier, of course, to blame our lack of growth on society or outdated methodology. No one wants to think our sin could be the problem, and in fact I have gotten in trouble with elders for suggesting we even consider such a possibility. I don’t have direct revelation from God, so I don’t know whether he is disciplining us. But the word of God in Ezekiel 33-37 shows that he does do such a thing and suggests that we should at least consider the possibility. Individual and congregational prayer along the lines of Psalm 139:23-24 seems appropriate in this regard.

Ezekiel 33-37 also makes clear that God’s people cannot fix their difficult circumstances on our own. I was surprised to read some of the strange thinking God’s people in Ezekiel’s day had about how they could solve the trouble they were facing (see it in 33:24). Their thinking seems terribly off base to me, and it makes me wonder how God might evaluate some of the ideas we come up with to fix our lack of growth. We should note, however, that what most bothered God was not their ludicrous idea but their notion that God might bless them at all while they were continuing in their sins (33:25-29). As above, the reason for the troubles among God’s people often lies close to home. It is also important to notice that “Church as usual” wasn’t going to solve the problem either (check out the disturbingly contemporary description in 33:30-33).

Ezekiel also shows us that God is the One who could fix the problem, and also that  he was willing to do so. Do you believe God can the decline in the church today? (Pause there before you read on.) Some of us who have seen and struggled for some time with the decreasing attendance and participation in the church may be so discouraged that we feel like “our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost ; we are indeed cut off.” We may wonder if there is any solution at all. Those words are the backdrop for the well-known and dramatic vision of the dry bones (37:1-14). The stated purpose of that powerful vision was to show God’s people that he can indeed give his people life, even when they seem really, really dead (vv. 11-14). It’s well worth another read. Several other passages in this part of Ezekiel also state that God would solve the problem of their miserable circumstances and decline (34:10-16, 25-31; 36:35-36). Some of the passages also state that he was planning to intervene, not for the people’s sake, but rather for the sake of his own holy name (36:21-23, 32). That is another truth that may not fly well among self-centered, consumeristic Christians. Yet it, too, deserves more prayer and introspection.

If you have been listening and have continued this far in this article, I admire your humility. Not just any heart will consider words of God like those in Ezekiel. Thankfully, we also get some encouragement, and I am as ready for it as you probably are. Notice three specific things God said he would do to restore his people then and that still have relevance now:

1. Send the Messiah (34:23-24; 37:24-25). The references to David are not literal. David had been dead for around 400 years when these words were spoken. But David was honored as an ideal king, and God had said he would establish the throne of one of David’s descendants forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). I don’t understand everything about messianic prophecies, but it seems clear to me that these promises were ultimately fulfilled by the Christ, who was descended from David (Acts 13:22-23; Romans 1:1-4; 2 Timothy 2:8). The words Shepherd, Prince, My Servant, and King in the Ezekiel passages all remind us that the Messiah came not only to forgive us, which is indispensable, but also to rule over us and lead us in paths of righteousness. We cooperate with God’s restoring work when we trust and submit to his Anointed King.
2. Provide divine resources to help us live like he wants (36:25-27; cf. 2 Peter 1:3-4). Remarkably, God provides resources that enable us to obey and follow him and his Messiah, including a new and soft heart, a new spirit (lower case) and the Holy Spirit (upper case). Through these he moves us to follow his decrees and laws (36:27). This is a wonderful, helpful and encouraging passage, and I urge you to spend some time with it. For more on what it means to live by the Spirit of God, click here and scroll down to the article on The New Way of the Spirit. We cooperate with God’s restoring work when we utilize his resources to live as he wills.
3. Hear our prayer. You are probably familiar with the phrase “the privilege of prayer,” but this passage adds a specific meaning to it. If you care to see it (yes, I’m goading you), look at Ezekiel 36:37-38. Carefully notice the wording of v. 37. Like the prayer for workers (Matthew 9:37-38), I believe God’s words in Ezekiel 36:37-38 should become part of our regular prayers, too, as often as we are able to pray them meaningfully. By praying for him to increase his people, we cooperate with him.

The people of Ezekiel’s day could not reverse the trouble God had brought upon them. God is the One who could restore his people. The New Testament corroborates this and reminds us that God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). That verse also reminds us, however, that we have a role too. We are called to work together with him (2 Corinthians 6:1). If we repent of any sin we are aware of, humble ourselves before God and avail ourselves of his Messiah, Spirit, and Prayer, perhaps he will see fit to restore us today.