You know how the Hebrew name for God is YHWH (we spell it Yahweh)? An article in the Archaeological Study Bible states that “As early as the Second Temple period following Israel’s return from exile, the name YHWH came to be regarded as so holy that it’s public pronunciation was forbidden” Their reverence for God is amazing, but can you imagine not being able to say God’s name out loud? Let me tell you, I think they actually spoke this name for God all day long every day.
I have read somewhere how this name for God, YHWH, is compared to breathing. That makes sense. YH sounds like inhaling, while WH sounds like exhaling. In other words, when we breathe, not only are we sustained by God, but it sounds like we are actually saying His name. We praise God with every breath we take. Hallelujah! It’s pretty neat that the sound of our breathing sings His name.
How comforting is it then that when we are feeling alone, if we stop and listen to our breathing, we can be reminded of God’s presence? I like to think of it this way- that when we are scared, we may hold our breath (clinging to God) and we may need to breathe slower to calm down (feeling God’s reassurance). When we are sad we may take deep breaths as we cry or sigh (opening the doors wide for God to enter and engulf us with His love and compassion), or when we are going to attempt something difficult we take a deep breath for courage (reliance on our Creator). God’s breath IS life.
God breathed life into creation and breathed life into us. Genesis 2:7 “Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” Since the first man was created, we have been singing His name.
God’s breath is a blessing. God has given us this gift of His presence. He is in and all around us. If we are lost or sad or full of joy, this verse rings true “Be still and know that I am God '' Psalm 46:10. For when we are still and quiet, we can hear God the best. Not only just putting away our own thoughts, but inhaling and exhaling the name of God and knowing that He is near.
There is a song from our children’s camp that we sang a couple of years ago that has been stuck in my head today. “Fix My Eyes On You” by Evan Craft, there is a line that says “Let every breath I breathe speak of your glory”. This has me reflecting differently on this thought of breathing the name of God. I will attach a link to this song in case you would like to listen to this song in a new light. I hope this blesses you.
God bless you all,
Amy