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| Waves hitting the Twelve Apostles Coast, Melbourne |
"People will respect the name of the Lord … for He will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the Lord." Isaiah 59:19
We envision that God will speak to us in a still small voice. He often does but there will be times when God can be relentless, coming at us with power and emphasis like the waves of the ocean crashing upon the rocks. The Bible clearly informs that 'the Breath of God' will be driving us towards God's purposes: What has it done and what will it do?
The breath of God informs, instructs and commands. The Prophet Jeremiah wrote,
The breath of God lifts up the Church. Ezekiel painted a dramatic picture of raising an army from lifeless and dry bones in the desert.
We envision that God will speak to us in a still small voice. He often does but there will be times when God can be relentless, coming at us with power and emphasis like the waves of the ocean crashing upon the rocks. The Bible clearly informs that 'the Breath of God' will be driving us towards God's purposes: What has it done and what will it do?
The breath of God informs, instructs and commands. The Prophet Jeremiah wrote,
"Is not my word like fire declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock to pieces". Jer. 23:29.
A friend shared this verse nearly 50 years ago and it has left a very lasting impression on me. My friend said to me that sometimes when reading God's Word, he would have a headache because it would be repeated again and again in his mind. Paul wrote that
“All scripture is breathed out by God” (2 Timothy 3:16).
This remarkable phrase about the breath of God gives us a look into the intertwining relationship between God and Scripture. Therefore, bible reading and study should not be trivialised because the Bible will open up to us the lessons of life.
The breath of God creates life. There is a special relationship, an affinity, between God and Man.
The breath of God creates life. There is a special relationship, an affinity, between God and Man.
"The Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a living creature" Gen 2:7.
God breathed into man and gave him life. Man was formed in the image of God. This relationship is priceless and described elsewhere in the Bible as a 'Pearl of Great Price'. However when man rebelled against God and sinned, this relationship was broken, the pearl was lost. The broken connection was restored when we become Christians and now we must live as if we are reflections of God's image.
The breath of God lifts up the Church. Ezekiel painted a dramatic picture of raising an army from lifeless and dry bones in the desert.
"I will make breath enter you and you will come to life. Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe on these slain, that they will come to life. I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the Lord have spoken and done it." Ezekiel 37:5,9,14
Like a mighty army moves the church of God. God is spurring us on as a church in triumph. But the lively and triumphant church begins with the single person who has the Holy Spirit in him. The Holy Spirit can empower the Christian to accomplish God's purposes.
Let us ask the Holy Spirit to begin God's great work in us: 'Breathe on Me, Breath of God.'
- Breathe on me, Breath of God,Fill me with life anew,That I may love what Thou dost love,And do what Thou wouldst do.
- Breathe on me, Breath of God,Until my heart is pure,Until with Thee I will one will,To do and to endure.
- Breathe on me, Breath of God,Till I am wholly Thine,Until this earthly part of meGlows with Thy fire divine.
- Breathe on me, Breath of God,So shall I never die,But live with Thee the perfect lifeOf Thine eternity.
Updated 1st published 29 Dec 2019
