Steady in the Valley: A 7-Day Leadership Devotional预览

Breathed to Rise: Lead by the Spirit

God's Word

"Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.” Ezekiel 37:9–10 (KJV)

Leadership Reflection

After Ezekiel speaks the Word, the bones reconnect, the structure is restored, and the form of life returns, but still, there is no breath. The bodies are there, but they are not alive. Then comes a second instruction: “Prophesy unto the wind… O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live” (Ezekiel 37:9, KJV).

This is the turning point. God does not just want things that look alive; He wants what is truly filled with life. The Spirit and the breath are essential. Without it, all the structure, skin, and sinews amount to nothing more than appearance.

As leaders, we often work hard to get the form right. We rebuild the systems. We align the strategies. We put the pieces back together. And sometimes, everything looks right, but it still feels empty. This moment in Ezekiel’s vision reminds us that transformation is not complete without the Spirit of God breathing into what has been revived.

God instructs Ezekiel to speak to the wind to call for breath from the four corners of the earth. The Hebrew word for "breath" here is ruach, which also means spirit or wind. It is the same word used in Genesis 2:7 (KJV), when God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Breath is not optional. It is the mark of divine presence.

This passage shows us something vital about spiritual leadership. It is not enough to restore order. We must also make room for the Spirit. Our strategies are useful, but they are not sufficient. Our vision may gather people, but only the Spirit gives life.

Throughout Scripture, the breath of God brings new beginnings. In John 20:22 (KJV), Jesus “breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” In Acts 2, the Spirit comes as a rushing wind (Acts 2:2–4, KJV). Over and over again, God breathes, and things begin to live again.

Ezekiel’s obedience once again is key. He does not assume that the structure is enough. He listens for the next instruction and responds without hesitation. “So I prophesied as he commanded me” (Ezekiel 37:10, KJV). When the breath enters the bodies, they rise fully alive, fully restored, standing as a great army.

This is the work of intentional transformation. We do our part to speak the Word, to rebuild, to lead faithfully. But only the Spirit can animate what we’ve assembled. Only the breath of God can turn structure into strength and presence into power.

If you find yourself in a place where everything looks “almost” right, but something still feels missing, maybe it is time to pause and ask: Have I made space for the Spirit? Am I inviting breath, not just movement, not just order, but true life?

Soul Check

• Where have you been relying on structure more than the Spirit?
• What in your life or leadership looks alive but needs breath?
• Are you listening for God's next instruction, even after progress has started?

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for every step of restoration. But I confess that without Your breath, I am only a form. Fill what I’ve rebuilt with Your Spirit, breathe on the parts of me that still feel lifeless, and let what I lead, build, and carry be filled with Your presence.. Amen.