Have you noticed how many times in scripture God’s power is revealed through Him speaking? He spoke the universe into place. He breathed life into man. He stilled the storm with the command of His voice.
Just last week I was thinking of doing a study on how often God uses his breath to accomplish His will. Sunday night my husband preached a message on exactly this topic. We had not talked about it at all. I thought it was pretty fun that we had the same thing on our hearts!
By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,
and by the breath of his mouth all their host. Psalm 33:6
Here is the outline from my hubbie’s talk:
The Breath of God…
- Created everything :: Genesis 1
- Gives life :: Genesis 2:5-7
…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.
- Sustains life :: Psalm 119:25, Job 33:4
The Spirit of God has made me,
and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
- Controls nature :: Mark 4:37-41
- Raises the dead :: Mark 5:35-42, John 11:38-44
- Gives the Holy Spirit :: John 20:19-23
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit”.
- Causes regeneration :: Eph 2:1-5, Titus 3:3-6
…by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior…
The word breath is translated from the Greek word pnuema. The cool thing? The word spirit is also translated from pneuma. The Spirit of God is the breath of God in us.
- Reveals scripture :: 2 Tim 3:16
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
- Defeats death and sin :: Luke 23:44-47, Rev 5:1-10
- Defeats His enemies :: 2 Thessalonians 2:8, Revelation 19
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.
And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse…
I hope you can get a moment soon to take a better look at each of these verses. It is amazing to see the thread of God’s action through the breath of His mouth.
God’s breath is powerful. Imagine what would happen if He ever lifted His finger?
Have you noticed this theme of God’s breath in scripture? Which of these actions of God most strike you with awe?
Jenny says
I was feeling defeated today and this was just what I needed to read. Thank you.
Katie says
You are welcome. God is good to give us timely truth!
Jen says
I have noticed this theme in scripture and it all started with a dream I had several years ago. The actions that strike me the most is the giving of the holy Spirit and causing of regeneration. God is so good. Thanks for this post, definite conformation going on.
Jen=)
lara says
“The Spirit of God is the breath of God in us.” What comfort!
RichardandChris Dickenson says
Was looking up the Breath of God as it relates to the Spirit of God in us and in the church. I came across this study and enjoyed it. I pray that the Breath of God through His Holy Spirit will flow, be strongly present and grow greatly in our lives and our churches!!
Jeane Worth says
Thank you so much for this. This will be the basis for my Bible Study on Tuesday. I realized today how God has breathed on my family in such a marvelous way. He took drugs out of the lives of my grandson and his fiance, my granddaughter is now free and this only was due to His breathing on them. God is so good and true and faithful. Praise His name.