It Is WrittenSample

Take a Breath

By Robert Morris

So far, we’ve used bread and water as metaphors for the Word of God, but today we’re going to see how the Bible is God’s breath. Now, let me ask you something. How long can you go without bread? Most people say 40 to 80 days. How long can you go without water? Most say that the human body can go four to twelve days without water. What about oxygen? How long could you hold your breath?

When I was a kid, I loved being around the water. We would go to the lake to water ski, and once we were in the middle of the lake, I would swim to shore. There must not have been a lot of safety consciousness back then because my parents always let me go, and I always made it to the other side. I got to a place where I could hold my breath for about three minutes. Now that I’m older and out of practice, I can’t do that anymore. So, in the natural, we can’t last more than a few minutes without our breath. However, I think a lot of us are living in a spiritual oxygen-depleted atmosphere, because we’re not breathing in the breath of God. And when that happens, it only takes a little bit of stress for us to be out of breath.

Let’s look at 2 Timothy 3:16. It says “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” The root of the Greek word for inspiration means “breath.” So, let me put that scripture another way: all Scripture is the breath of God. Let’s look at Ezekiel 37 to develop this idea further.

In the story, the Lord took Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones and told him to prophesy to the bones, saying, “Thus says the Lord God to these bones: ‘Surely I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live.’ ” Suddenly, there was a rattling and the bones came together and were covered with muscles, flesh and skin, but they were still breathless. I wonder how many people today feel like they’re alive with no breath. Then the Lord told Ezekiel to prophesy that breath “come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain that they may live.” Then, the bodies lived and stood to their feet. They were an army.

If God’s breath—His Word—could cause a valley of dry bones to become a great, living army, think about the power it can have in your life! Take a breath today and see what God does.

Prayer

Father, I acknowledge that I cannot make it without Your breath. Fill my life with power as I read Your Word, just as You did when You breathed Your breath on the valley of the dry bones and it became an army. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Memory Verse

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