Raised to Life by the Spirit

As we come to Ezekiel 37 this week, we read of the well known vision of the Valley of the Dry Bones, as well as a lesser known prophetic symbolic act involving two sticks, representing the two nations of Israel, which are made to be one in the hand of the Lord.
Without the Spirit of God, who is promised to us in Chapter 36, we have no hope. We are dead. But the Lord has promised to put his Spirit within his people, that they might live and dwell with him, in his presence. Furthermore, the Lord promises to gather and join together those who have been scattered and separated in the past. Those who were dead, he will make alive. Those who were divided, he will unite as one. And all of this, only by the Spirit of God.
This is the great hope and salvation we have today in Christ. It is tangible and real! Neither division, nor death will have the final word. These enemies are not be able to withstand the unifying, life-giving power of the Spirit as the Messiah comes and establishes his everlasting covenant of peace. As we live by faith in both the 'now' and the 'not-yet' of these New Covenant promises, we have so much to give thanks to the Lord for, and so much more to look forward to in the resurrection.