Breath of God

"By the breath of God frost is given…" (Job 37:10a)

Just think; you and I thought it was atmospheric moisture that crystallizes on the ground. Now we know it is of far grander origin. We awaken one morning in the fall to find the first frost and think that winter has put his foot in the door. But actually, it is God who has leaned over the battlements of Heaven, and with simply a sigh, covered the earth with this glistening spectacle. He created the world before He created man, almost as though He wanted someone to see what He had done, and to marvel.

Speaking of Adam, you remember it was only after God had breathed into his nostrils the breath of life that "man became a living soul." Each breath that you breathe is borrowed from God. That's why the Psalmist says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord." And in John 20, it was the risen Savior who breathed on His disciples, and said, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost." The old-time preachers used to talk about someone preaching with the breath of Heaven upon him. This is the kind of ministering that breathes life into a congregation or individual, just as surely as Elisha breathed life back into the Shunammite woman's son (II Kings 4:34).

Spring will soon be here, and God will be putting on yet another display. This time, one of color and fragrance. Don't miss it. Don't be in such a hurry to get where you're going that you miss where you are. Take a deep breath even now and thank God for His breath of life within you. And may you experience the sweet Breath of Heaven on whatever service He may ask of you.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
Till I am wholly Thine,
Till all this earthly part of me
Glows with Thy fire divine.
—Edwin Hatch