Pastor’s Corner: “It’s Your Breath”
Psalm 150:6 (NIV) – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.
It’s the very first thing we do after we are born. It is often taken away by beautiful or amazing sites. We can hold it and try to turn blue to prove our stubbornness. It’s our breath. So taken for granted. So un-noticed until we can’t catch it. So fascinating in its complexity, yet simple in its application.
“Breath” is mentioned in the Bible over 4000 times. It is in a couple of catagories: the breath of Life; the breath of God. It is also referred to as “spirit” and/or “wind”. In Genesis, God “breathed life into Man”. Psalm 33:6 says,” By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” And Job 33:4 “The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of God hath given me life.” Isaiah 40:7 states, ” The grass withers, and the flowers fade, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it.” And finally, Psalm 150:6 encourages us: “Let everything that hath breath, Praise the Lord!”
In the Garden of Eden Adam was perfectly formed, but he had no life. He “had it all together”, but he wasn’t going anywhere until God’s Spirit breathed into him. Then he started walking with God, taking initiative, and fulfilling his purpose in life. You might be in a similar situation; you are living but not really living – just going through the motions. Are you short of breath spiritually? Do you need to catch your breath back? If your life is lacking meaning and purpose and you need what God breathed into Adam that day – you can have it! You were made by God for so much more.
Think about Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones. Ezekiel 37:9–10 ESV – 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. This is a prophecy for those who are dead and in disarray. If that describes your life right now, here’s good news. When God breathed into those bones they came to life, stood up, and became a force to be reckoned with. Notice that the Spirit of God came from ‘the four winds’, or the four corners of the earth. That means there’s no place where His Spirit can’t reach you if you’re available to Him. Notice also that when the Spirit of God came into Ezekiel’s valley, broken things were mended and dead things brought back to life. And God wants to do the same for you!
In addition, a ‘shaking’ took place (Ezekiel 37:7 KJV). Before God uses you, He rattles your comfort zone and your set-in-concrete ideas. Your past is no problem for Him, because His eyes are on your future. So come into His presence and pray: “Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew. That I may love what You love, and do what You would do.” When He does, you’ll never be the same.
The worship group “All Sons and Daughters” has written a beautiful song about the breath of God in all of us. Some of the lyrics say: “It’s your breath in our lungs, So we pour out our praise, We pour out our praise to You only.” Take some time today and listen to this beautiful worship song “Great are You Lord” to remind yourself of God’s breath that brings life to our bones.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHz0w-HG4iU
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton