God-Breathed
Today’s Verse:
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. ~Genesis 2:7
The COVID pandemic has caused all of us to focus on its impact on an affected person’s breathing. More serious cases of COVID have caused some patients to require breathing assistance including oxygen and, in very severe circumstances, intubation. Breathing assistance is meant to help a person until he is able to breathe at 100% oxygen level. We read in our devotion that the Lord breathed into man’s nostrils the breath of life. Let us examine this morning what it is meant by “God-breathed.”
We see the soul.
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Man became a living soul the moment God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. A living soul means that man is a spiritual being with an unending existence. As a living soul, man will live beyond his physical life either in Heaven or in Hell. The breath of God is a vital and necessary means for life. It gave an awakening, a strengthening, and liveliness to a body that was, previous to this, lifeless.
We see the stimulus.
“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” (Ezekiel 37:9). God showed Ezekiel a valley of dry, dead bones. When the breath of God breathed on these bones, flesh and life came back. It is a powerful picture of how God gives life again, or revival, to a church that has become powerless. It is a picture of how our spiritual lives need the breath of God upon us for power and vitality.
We see the Spirit.
“And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost” (John 20:22). The apostles were assembled together in one room when Jesus made His first post-resurrection appearance to them. Jesus breathed on these fearful and remorseful men and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Spirit is the indwelling life source of the Christian life. His indwelling gives us comfort, peace, and guidance. He is our Teacher Who leads us into all truth. He is the Paraclete, or Best Friend, Who is alongside of us when we study the Scriptures. He helps us when we pray. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26).
We see the Scriptures.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The word for inspiration in the Greek is theopneustos. This word means “God-breathed.” “Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The Holy Spirit is the life breath of our Bible. The Bible is a living book that changes lives. Unlike other books that will become obsolete and are forgotten, God’s Word abideth forever.
We see the spiritual.
The breath of God is a reminder of the importance of prayer for every Christian. Prayer is to the soul what breathing is to our physical life. If we are not praying, we are not breathing and we are spiritually declining. Don’t take breathing lightly, especially the breath of God. Let the Spirit of God spiritually invigorate you.
Have a Spirit-enabled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Exodus 22-24