Believing for Resurrection in the Middle of Real Life

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” – John 11:25

“Dead things come alive in the name of Jesus…”

This lyric has followed me for days. It echoes in my thoughts when I’m doing dishes, hums through my heart when I’m driving, and weaves itself into my dreams at night. It’s more than a catchy melody at this point. It feels like a holy echo—something God won’t let me ignore.

I’ve heard this lyric before, but it’s never lingered like this. Now, paired with it are two powerful scriptures that keep coming to mind: Ezekiel 37 and John 11.

They’re stories of impossible things coming back to life. In each one, death doesn’t have the final say. Through them, we see the power of God to restore what we believed was long gone.

And maybe, just maybe, God is using this lyric and these scriptures to remind me—and maybe you too—that dead things still come alive in the name of Jesus.

Dry Bones in the Valley – Ezekiel 37

Ezekiel 37 begins with a strange vision: the prophet Ezekiel is led by God into a valley full of bones. Not just any bones—dry, lifeless, forgotten bones.

“He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry.” – Ezekiel 37:2

God asks Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?”
And Ezekiel answers with wisdom and humility: “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

God tells him to prophesy to the bones, to speak life over them. And as he does, the bones begin to rattle and reassemble. Flesh appears. Breath enters. A vast army stands up from the dust—alive.

What was once desolate becomes vibrant. What was dry becomes filled with breath.

Lazarus in the Tomb – John 11

Then there’s Lazarus. A friend of Jesus. Dead for four days.

Everyone around him had given up hope. His sisters were grieving. The community was mourning. Even Jesus wept.

But then He did what no one expected.

“Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out…” – John 11:43–44

A rotting body responds to the voice of Life Himself. Jesus didn’t panic. He didn’t rush. He waited, knowing resurrection was coming. And when He spoke, even death had to let go.

Maybe That’s What God Is Doing Now

Sometimes we read these stories and think, “That’s amazing—but what does it have to do with me?”
And yet, here I am—singing this lyric over and over again, “Dead things come alive…” and wondering if it’s more personal than I realized.

I can think of areas in my life that feel a lot like that valley of dry bones. Places where hope once lived. Dreams that used to stir my heart. Areas where I’ve been tempted to give up and say, “It’s too late.”

Perhaps it’s a relationship in your life that’s strained or even severed. Or maybe a once-clear calling has grown quiet. It could even be your faith that feels brittle—something that was once vibrant now dim and distant.

And then here comes this quiet but powerful whisper:
Dead things come alive.
Even this.

When It’s More Than a Song

God often speaks through repetition. When something lingers—especially in our hearts, in our thoughts, even in our dreams—it might not be noise. It might be a nudge.

If you’ve been hearing something like this, or thinking of the same scriptures over and over, don’t ignore it. Sit with it. Ask the Lord, “Is there something You’re trying to show me here?”

I think He’s been trying to remind me that what feels forgotten is not. That what seems beyond repair is not beyond His reach. That His resurrection power isn’t just for Easter morning. It’s for Sunday mornings… and for Monday, Tuesday—every day.

You Might Be Waiting, But He’s Still Working

In both Ezekiel’s vision and the story of Lazarus, there’s a theme of waiting. Time has passed. Things have decayed. The situation has progressed from hard to hopeless.

But God never saw the valley or the tomb as the end of the story.

If you’re in that kind of place—where you’ve waited, hoped, cried, and maybe even given up—take heart: Jesus hasn’t stopped speaking life.

He’s not late. He’s just waiting for the moment when His glory will shine brightest.

A Quiet Search for What Still Breathes

• Where in my life have I assumed something is too far gone?
• What have I stopped praying for because I got tired of waiting?
• What might God want to resurrect—not just for me, but through me?

A Simple Prayer

Jesus, I believe You still bring dead things to life. I invite You to speak into the areas I’ve written off or buried deep. Breathe life into what’s dry. Call forth what’s hidden. I trust that You still do miracles—and sometimes the biggest one is hope rising again in a weary heart. Amen.

A Note from Me

I’m not writing this as someone who has all the answers. I’m writing it as someone learning to believe again—that God still moves, still heals, still brings life into dead places. If you’re walking through your own dry season or waiting on something to come back to life, you’re not alone. I’m with you. And more importantly, Jesus is, too.

Whether you’re seeking comfort, guidance, or simply a quiet moment to reconnect with the One who holds it all, there’s a word of truth and hope waiting for you.

Catch up on past Sunday Devotionals here.

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