09/04/2021
I am certain that you have read, spoken, or heard words similar to these… “I have loved you from the moment you took your first breath.” Poets, songwriters, and lovers, like to use language such as this, but as beautiful as the sentiment might be it is based on a false understanding of how we begin our life on earth. In fact, we don’t take our first breath; we are given it. God breathes that breath of life into us, and then, with our spiritual and physical body running, we are able to continue on from there… but even so, we are never alone, nor are we without help from Him, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
“then 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.”
Genesis 2:7 ESV
“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”
Job 33:4 ESV
I really like old cars; perhaps it is the simplicity of them, or the beauty of their lines. But for whatever reason, they’ve always infatuated me. If we watch documentaries about the development of the automobile, and the gasoline engine, we will invariably see someone go to the front of the car and turn a crank to start the engine running. This quick turn creates the spark and motion which allows the engine to begin its process of combustion. Modern cars still use this same method, but instead of a manual crank they employ a battery operated starter motor, but we still have to turn a key, or press a button, to make this happen. As humans we are given life in much the same fashion. God starts us running with a breath that begins the motion of our lungs, and gives us our first spark of life. Then He sits in the driver’s seat, takes hold of the steering wheel, and off we go together. Scripture upon scripture tells us this.
“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.”
Jeremiah 10:23 ESV
“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 ESV
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24 ESV
An egg, and a single spermatozoon unite, and a spark of light is instantly emitted in a woman’s womb as a new life receives the charge it will need at birth. Soon a tiny heart beats, and a body moves, as it is nurtured by its mother, but every baby is born into the world breathless. It is not until God breathes life into them that they gasp, cry, and begin their lifelong walk with Him; a walk that is designed to lead first and foremost to Jesus Christ, and then through Him, back to God where His Holy Spirit begins its work in earnest.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6 ESV
So we can call our second breath our own if we like, and be correct in doing so, but our first breath is an amazing and unique one, that is in no way our own, no, its God’s breath and through it He instills in us an incredible life that only He can give us. Without this that initial spark would fade, and all the hope of life would be lost.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for guiding me to the right, and to the left, that I might remain true to your way, be righteous, and my faith remain strong in Christ. Thank you for the life you have breathed into me, and for beginning in me every breath and step that follows thereafter. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God of light, and breath, who gives the spark of life in the womb, and your breath at birth. Praised be your name Lord for leading us to Jesus, forgiveness, redemption, righteousness, and on to holiness, and eternity with you. Merciful are you who calls us your children, and gives us every good thing. Great are you whose grace is sufficient for us, and washes away our sin by the blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Amazing are you who has seen fit to form us from the dust, and then to breathe His life into us. We pray that our lives will glorify you always, and please you forever thereafter, and that in this way the life you have begun will worship and follow you eternally forevermore.
““‘See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god beside me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand.”
Deuteronomy 32:39 ESV
Rich Forbes