The Breath of Life

A few weeks ago now, I posted a poem by John Roedel where he shares that “breathing is sacred” and that it is “a beautiful prayer“.

As I was contemplating this further I was reminded of a couple of hymns that resonated with me.

The first is a hymn written by Edwin Hatch, Breathe on me, Breath of God and the second is written by Elizabeth Ann Porter Head, O Breath of Life. 

According to hymnary.org, Edwin Hatch was an English theologian and although his hymn-writing was limited he wrote Breathe on me, Breath of God. It was written about a decade before his death while Vice-Principal of St. Mary Hall in Oxford, and prior to taking up the position of Rector of Purleigh. He writes:

Breathe on me, Breath of God

1 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.

2 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until my will is one with yours,
to do and to endure.

3 Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with you the perfect life
for all eternity.

As I was listening to this song and thinking over its meaning, I was drawn to the life of Job and all that He had gone through.

The tragic loss of his family, the loss of his wealth, his ill health, and the loss of all but three of his friends – who he had been discussing the merits of his life and why he should remain faithful to God.

In the midst of all his loss and as we approach the end of the discourse with his friends we find a most poignant statement: “The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life [which inspires me].”
Job 33:4 (Amplified Bible)

These words are spoken to Job by Elihu, who claims to speak for God and according to Job 32:11 he had “been waiting to hear what [his three friends] had to say, [he’d] listened attentively to [their] arguments as each one of [them] chose [their] words with care.” (New Catholic Bible)

Elihu had become “upset with Job [and his friends] because [Job] justified himself rather than God [and even expressed doubts about God’s character].” Job 32:2 (Amplified Bible)

Elihu espouses that God is the Almighty and that we must all acknowledge and submit to His supremacy because of who God is. He draws to our attention instances of His kindness or even His tolerance toward us, pointing to the constant wonders of creation and of the seasons, and of His abundant blessings in our lives.

Breath of God = Life!

He accredits the breath of God, as the source of all life and understanding.

You see, the Hebrew word for “breath of God” is “Ruach”, and God breathes His Spirit (Ruach) into us!

So, what about you? When faced with circumstances beyond your control do you blame others, or even God?

Do you justify yourself as Job did and all your deeds by acknowledging the importance of oneself over and above God? Or, do you acknowledge that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present (omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence)?

Elihu understood that it is important to consider the characteristics of God and the implications of His almightyness (is that really a word?)

For, “If God were to take back his spirit and withdraw his breath, all life would cease, and humanity would turn again to dust.” Job 34:14-15 (New Living Translation)

At the end of the day, our Lord’s attributes, His characteristics, His very nature should inspire awe within us. Like the psalmist in Psalm 113:1-6 we too should praise the Lord our God and ask the question, “Who is like the Lord our God?”

“Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
    praise the name of the Lord!

Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!

The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?”
(English Standard Version)

Breath of Life

Elizabeth Ann Porter Head (1850-1936) was an active supporter of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), the South Africa General Mission (SAGM) and the Keswick Convention throughout her life. And she was a frequent speaker for these organizations and a prolific contributor, in prose and in verse, to their publications.

In 1920 a collection of her writings, Heavenly Places, & Other Messages was published and in that same year she wrote the hymn O Breath of Life; 

1 O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and pow’r;
O Breath of Life, come, cleanse, renew us,
and fit your church to meet this hour.

2 O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
till humbly we confess our need;
then in your tenderness remake us,
revive, restore, for this we plead.

3 O Breath of love, come breathe within us,
renewing thought and will and heart;
come, Love of Christ, afresh to win us,
revive your church in ev’ry part.

4 O Heart of Christ, once broken for us,
’tis there we find our strength and rest;
our broken, contrite hearts now solace,
and let your waiting church be blest.

5 Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,
equip your church to spread the light.

The lyrics of this hymn along with Edwin Hatch’s one are poignant reminders that we need God to breathe into our lives, into our churches and into our communities if we are to truly see His kingdom come. For, He is the God who breathes life into all things and is worthy of all our praise.

The below video of O Breath of Life is an arrangement done by Emu Music, who exist to encourage and equip the church in biblical, beautiful and transformative singing. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂 

I don’t know about you, but I will continue to praise God for everything that He has done, everything He is doing, and everything that He is going to do – As there is none like Him and He is good! And I will endeavour to live my life as righteously as I can.

Breath of God – Breathe into me

“For as long as I draw breath, and for as long as God breathes life into me, I refuse to say one word that isn’t true. I refuse to confess to any charge that’s false.”
Job 27:3-4 (The Message)

Now, this is something that the Apostle Paul also knew to be true in his life as he acknowledged that God “is the one who gives life and breath and everything else to all people.” Acts 17:25b
(Worldwide English New Testament)

So, how about you?

As we move into another new year will you assess, or even reassess the merits of your life and why you should explore faith (if you don’t know God), or remain faithful to Him?

Regardless of what happens in your life, and the lives of those that you know and love – Will you praise Him and acknowledge Him in all things?

Maybe this beautiful rendition of Edwin Hatch’s hymn Breathe on me, breath of God by The Salvation Army Cambridge Citadel Songsters will inspire you to know Him more.

Blessings ’til next time 🙂

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A Word of Encouragement

On Tuesday I shared a Word of Encouragement from Psalm 89 in which I featured a link to the timeless Hymn “How Great Thou Art” (you can read it here).

That evening as part of our Young Adults Life Group / Bible Study we were introduced to some of the gods (little ‘g’), or known alternatively as idols, in our lives that are at war with our hearts for our attention.

As we went through the first episode of the study we were directed to the passage of scripture in Joshua 24 where we see Joshua calling the people of Israel together to hear about all the great things, the mighty miracles that God has performed in their midst to bring them to safety.

The following day as part of our weekly leadership catch-up that we’ve initiated to remain connected with our Corps / Church leaders while we are all in isolation. We always have a segment in which we share the blessings that we have received in the past week / days.

It is a time to reflect on God’s awesome provision in our lives, regardless of the circumstances that we are facing. And it is always an encouraging and uplifting time, and shows that God is not done with us yet! He is still at work in our lives and has plenty more in store for us if we turn our focus towards Him, diminishing the sway that the gods / idols have in our lives.

Yet again I am reminded of ‘How Great Thou Art!‘

In New Zealand a week or so ago now a very familiar album within The Salvation Army circles was top of the New Zealand Music Album Charts – The Offering Album (as I write this, it is at #5).

Maybe that is because people are looking for HOPE!

Maybe that is because they want to support organisations such as The Salvation Army, who are offering Hope to many people around the country through its provision of food.

Whatever the rationale the Offering has twelve beautiful hymns (that are timeless) performed by twelve of New Zealand’s finest recordings artists. It is an album that has been put together to feed the soul. It is a means in which we can focus our attention on God and “How Great He Is” for He has provided marvellous things, amazing things, great things, special signs and might miracles – even in the grip of this pandemic we can still see God at work, if only we would have eyes to see and ears to hear.

So why not check out the album, as it contains our very own Wellington Citadel Band playing ‘Amazing Grace’ alongside Dave Dobbyn.

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