Daily Devotionals
Monday, November 25, 2024 (Mary Ann)
Just breathe
So what was your first word? Mama? Dada? According to a sermon I clicked on the other day while internet surfing, it was neither of those.
Your very first word was God’s name — Yahweh.
In Hebrew tradition,Yahweh is the most holy name for God. A little research revealed that Jewish sages associated the covenant name of God — Yahweh — with breath and when pronounced, the name itself is the sound of breathing.
I hadn’t exactly thought of this before, but as we enter the busy last days of 2024 and beyond, I want to keep that thought close. So first, a little exercise. Start by parting your lips just a bit. Then inhale and whisper, “Yah.” Now exhale, “Weh.”
Think of it: A baby’s first cry is calling out to God. And when as believers, we take our last breath, our last word will be Yahweh, our First and Last and Forever.
Now while there’s no verse in the Bible that directly links breathing with the name of God, it is true that life is a gift from God. And in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). That beautiful name — Yahweh — signifies the eternal, unchanging nature of God and he deserves to be praised with every breath we take.
There are also parallels between breathing and pronouncing the name of Yahweh. For example:
Breathing is essential for life. Yahweh is essential for our spiritual lives.
Breath sustains us moment by moment. Communing with God sustains us spiritually.
We breathe automatically and subconsciously. Praising the name of God can and should become a natural part of our subconscious lives.
Bottom line, Sisters, is that every breath we take represents our dependence on God. That’s why I’m making it my goal to stop often, listen to my breathing and let it trigger a prayer for thanks … for help … for praise … for anything … for everything … in every situation. And praise Yahweh, because he is the God who hears!
Breathe deeply and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mary Ann
So what was your first word? Mama? Dada? According to a sermon I clicked on the other day while internet surfing, it was neither of those.
Your very first word was God’s name — Yahweh.
In Hebrew tradition,Yahweh is the most holy name for God. A little research revealed that Jewish sages associated the covenant name of God — Yahweh — with breath and when pronounced, the name itself is the sound of breathing.
I hadn’t exactly thought of this before, but as we enter the busy last days of 2024 and beyond, I want to keep that thought close. So first, a little exercise. Start by parting your lips just a bit. Then inhale and whisper, “Yah.” Now exhale, “Weh.”
Think of it: A baby’s first cry is calling out to God. And when as believers, we take our last breath, our last word will be Yahweh, our First and Last and Forever.
Now while there’s no verse in the Bible that directly links breathing with the name of God, it is true that life is a gift from God. And in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). That beautiful name — Yahweh — signifies the eternal, unchanging nature of God and he deserves to be praised with every breath we take.
There are also parallels between breathing and pronouncing the name of Yahweh. For example:
Breathing is essential for life. Yahweh is essential for our spiritual lives.
Breath sustains us moment by moment. Communing with God sustains us spiritually.
We breathe automatically and subconsciously. Praising the name of God can and should become a natural part of our subconscious lives.
Bottom line, Sisters, is that every breath we take represents our dependence on God. That’s why I’m making it my goal to stop often, listen to my breathing and let it trigger a prayer for thanks … for help … for praise … for anything … for everything … in every situation. And praise Yahweh, because he is the God who hears!
Breathe deeply and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Mary Ann
