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Crossing the Doldrums


Sermon in FCBC by Pastor Wang Guanghan on 24 Jan 2025

Background: 

Israel is cut off from their homeland and are hopeless. This is similar to the situation in the doldrums where they are stuck in a crisis, with no breakthrough,  nothing seems to work.

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Ezekiel is shown a valley of very dry bones when God told him to prophesy.  Then the bones grew flesh and came to life. God told Ezekiel that the bones are the people.of Israel and that He will bring his people back to their homes and show that he is God.

There are 3 steps to get out of the situation where hopelessness is all around us...3 steps to cross the doldrums in our lives. 


1. Acknowledge the brokenness 

God wanted Ezekiel to face the brokenness before him. He wants Ezekiel to look beyond and believe that God alone knows. When stuck, instead of ignoring the brokenness,  we need to allow God to prepare us for the restoration.  

2. Proclaim God's truth

It's weird that in a hopeless situation, God's command is to proclaim life.  When we proclaim His truth, we shift our focus from us to focusing on God. What lies have we been listening to?

We need to declare God's truth - as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord, peace of God will guard your hearts and minds, he prepares a banquet in the presence of my enemies. 

Lyric from Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns 

Oh what I would do to haveThe kind of faith it takesTo climb out of this boat I'm inOnto the crashing wavesTo step out of my comfort zoneInto the realm of the unknown where Jesus isAnd He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my nameAnd they laugh at meReminding me of all the timesI've tried before and failedThe waves they keep on telling meTime and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!""You'll never win!"
Chorus:
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different storyThe Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"Out of all the voices calling out to meI will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth
Oh what I would do to haveThe kind of strength it takesTo stand before a giantWith just a sling and a stoneSurrounded by the sound of a thousand warriorsShaking in their armorWishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my nameAnd he laughs at meReminding me of all the timesI've tried before and failedThe giant keeps on telling meTime and time again. "Boy you'll never win!""You'll never win!"
Chorus:
But the stone was just the right sizeTo put the giant on the groundAnd the waves they don't seem so highOn top of them lookin' downI will soar with the wings of eaglesWhen I stop and listen to the sound of JesusSinging over me
But the Voice of Truth tells me a different storyThe Voice of Truth says, "Do not be afraid!"And the Voice of Truth says, "This is for My glory"Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)I will choose to listen and believeI will choose to listen and believe the Voice of TruthI will listen and believeI will listen and believe the Voice of truthI will listen and believeCause Jesus you are the voice of truthAnd I will listen to you, you are

3. Trust in God's move 

In the doldrums,  the sailors can do everything except to get the wind to blow. Even after bones were filled with flesh, it is only when God breathes on them that they got life. No amount of effort will enable the ship to move, only the wind. 

Ezekiel did not lose hope and he has every reason to quit. He believes that God's timing is perfect. When God moves, all the waiting will be worth it. 



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