Short of Breath
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
Breathing is a vital and necessary part of life for us. We inhale air so that we can take in oxygen. We exhale air so that carbon dioxide is released out of us. Breathing is a necessity for living. When CPR is administered to someone unconscious, we seek to breathe air into their lungs to restore their breathing. When we refer to a person’s breath, we are referring to what is being exhaled. When we are short of breath, it means our breathing might be shallow and labored. It means our breathing capacity is not normal and needs help. It indicates that we are breathing out more than we are taking in. Breathing is a necessity that we must not neglect. In our Scripture this morning, we see the first mention concerning the breath of God.
We see the instillation.
Man became a living soul the moment God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. 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 lifeless prior to this. From that moment forward, we know how important breathing is to living. Prayer for the Christian is like breathing is to our living. Prayer is how we take in and give out. Let us make sure that we “exercise our spiritual lungs” by spending time in prayer with God.
We see the invigoration.
“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 on the evening of His resurrection. To these fearful and remorseful men, Jesus breathed on them 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 inspiration.
"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. 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 be forgotten, God’s Word abideth forever. In Ezekiel 37, we read of the prophecy concerning the valley of dry bones. God called for the four winds to come and give life to those dry, old bones. “Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live” (Ezekiel 37:5). When we need revival, it is at that moment that we need the breath of God to breathe life into the dry, dead, old bones of ours.
Are you short of breath this morning? Do you feel winded and need to catch your breath, spiritually speaking? Take a moment to allow the Holy Spirit to breathe life into your dry, old bones so that you can resume fervent spiritual activity.
Have an inspired God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Ezekiel 16-17