Come Alive: From the Valley to Victory
Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1–14
There comes a point in every journey when the weight of our past feels like a tomb. The silence of trauma becomes deafening. The pain of addiction, the scars of abuse—sexual, emotional, physical—can leave us feeling like dry bones in a lifeless valley.
But I came to tell you today: God still speaks in the valley.
And when He speaks, even dead things come back to life.
Let’s turn to Ezekiel 37—the Valley of Dry Bones. A battlefield turned graveyard. A vision of desolation. But also, a revelation of resurrection.
“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.” – Ezekiel 37:1
1. The Valley Is Real, But It’s Not Final
Ezekiel didn’t find himself on a mountaintop or in a temple. He was in a valley—low, dry, lifeless.
And maybe that’s where you are right now:
Wounded from a childhood of abuse.
Lost in the shadows of addiction.
Carrying the guilt of a broken home.
Haunted by trauma no one else sees.
But hear this: God didn’t avoid the valley. He walked Ezekiel right into it. Because where others see ruin, God sees a resurrection.
You may feel forgotten. Abandoned. Lifeless.
But God sees you. And He sent me to tell you: You’re not too far gone for God to redeem.
2. Speak Life Into What Looks Dead
“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!” – Ezekiel 37:4
God didn’t tell Ezekiel to weep over the bones.
He didn’t say to build a memorial.
He said: “Prophesy!”
Speak life. Speak hope. Speak resurrection.
And I speak it now over you:
To the addict: You are not your addiction.
To the survivor of abuse: You are not what happened to you.
To the broken: Your story isn’t over.
To the suicidal: There is still breath in your lungs, and purpose in your pain.
When God gives you a voice, use it. Speak truth until the lies have no room to breathe. Call your spirit back to life.
3. Healing Comes in Stages
“As I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together... but there was no breath in them.” – Ezekiel 37:7–8
Maybe you’ve seen some progress:
You stopped using.
You got out of the abusive relationship.
You’re in therapy. You’re praying. You’re trying.
But there’s still something missing. You’re sober, but still sad. Out of danger, but still empty. The bones are together—but no breath.
Don’t stop now.
Healing takes time.
Restoration is a process.
God isn’t finished yet.
“Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath... and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.’” – Ezekiel 37:9–10
4. You Are Not a Victim—You Are a Warrior
The bones didn’t just become bodies. They became an army.
Your trauma is not your identity.
Your scars are not your shame.
They are proof that you survived.
And now—you are being raised for battle.
God is not just trying to restore you so you can sit in silence.
He’s raising you up to fight for others still trapped in the valley.
Your testimony will become someone else’s lifeline.
Your healing will become someone else’s hope.
Your freedom will spark revival in others still bound.
5. God Breathes on What You Thought Was Buried
“I will put my Spirit in you and you will live... Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it,” declares the Lord. – Ezekiel 37:14
This isn’t self-help. This is Spirit-help.
It’s not about trying harder—it’s about trusting deeper.
Let the Spirit of God breathe into your bones.
Because when He breathes:
Shame has to go.
Fear must flee.
Chains are broken.
Graves become gardens.
And dry bones rise.
Come Alive
To the one who's been abused: He’s not done with you.
To the addict: There’s still breath for battle.
To the one broken by betrayal: He will restore your soul.
The valley of dry bones becomes a valley of victory when God steps in.
So today, I speak to your spirit:
“Come alive.”
“Breathe again.”
“Rise up, mighty warrior.”
“Your valley is turning into your victory.”
God is not just restoring what you lost—
He’s rebuilding you into something stronger than you’ve ever been.
In Jesus’ name—the Chain Breaker, the Redeemer, the Resurrection and the Life—
You. Will. Live.
Amen.
Joe
4 comments
This!!!!! This is exactly where I’ve been. I have been seeking Him more than ever the last several months, and I am feeling alive again. I am feeling life, hope, redemption, and a future that is beyond what I thought. Thank you Joe for spreading hope and His word!!! Praying for you and the ones that are hearing God through you.
Thank you, Joe for these words. I didn’t know how much I needed to see and read this, until I read it. Your words touched my heart and soul. For a long time I saw myself as a victim, but in truth, I am a survivor. What happened to me, does not define me. I am more than what I experienced and went through. I realise now that I am a stronger person, who has just as much worth as any other person. I AM WORTHY. I can help others who have gone through similar things to me. I can show them that they are WORTHY and that they are a SURVIVOR. What doesn’t break us makes us stronger. Much love and many blessings from the UK xx
This was worded so wonderfully. Praise God.🙏
Bless you Joe , my hope and faith rises , then it crashes