We are acutely aware in these days that there are many things we permit to divide us. But there is one that should unite us all. 

We can live our lives without a lot of the things that hold great importance to us. We can live without the possessions we hold dear. We can live without the positions that bring us self-importance and self-worth. We can even live without the good health and relationships that bring our lives enjoyment and purpose. And, for a period of time, we can even live without the food and water that bring nourishment to our bodies. But take away our breath and we immediately cease to live.

Breath is the one thing that distinguishes the living from the dead. Adam didn’t become a living person until God breathed into his nostrils.(1) Though muscles and flesh formed over the dry bones, they did not come to life until God breathed into them.(2)

You could say that breath is the most precious gift God has given us, short of Himself. And in many ways, breath is not only a gift from God, it is an expression of Himself that He has given us. It was God’s breath that filled Adam’s nostrils, and through him that has filled ours. It was God’s breath that not only brought life to those dry bones, but also continues to bring life to ours. The very breath that we breathe is His.(3)

Breath is not a respecter of station … or ethnicity … or age.(4) It can’t be bought … or sold … or traded.(5)We can’t see it. We can’t hold it. i dare say, we don’t even think much about it, unless we find ourselves struggling to take it in. But through it, He gives us life.

He gave us all breath for a purpose. He gave us all breath for His purpose. He gave us all breath that we might praise Him.(6) The writers of the song (lyrics below) got it right:

It's Your breath in our lungs,
So we pour out our praise.
We pour out our praise.
It's Your breath in our lungs,
So we pour out our praise to You only.

The breath in our lungs literally is His … not ours. We didn’t create it. With all of the tremendous medical knowledge that God has given us over the years, we do not have the ability to prolong it beyond its ultimate conclusion. Breath has no territorial or racial divides.(7) Since we didn’t create it, we don’t get to decide for what it should be used. Oh yes, we can make our own choice as to how we will use it … but that doesn’t change the purpose for which it was given to us. It is a precious gift given for a precious purpose.

The current quarantine does not prevent us from fulfilling the purpose of our breath. True, we may not be able to gather as we once did, but we can still praise from where we are – from every corner in every neighborhood on every road or path in every city of every land. We’re not limited as to a time for praise. We can pour out our praise at every moment of every day – because the One who has given us breath is great … and worthy of our praise. Our praise is merely returning to Him that which has always been His gift to us from the beginning. 

Yes, He is the Giver of life(8) … the Giver of light … and the Giver of hope. He is the restorer of every heart that is broken. So, together let’s pour out our breath in praise … as a multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language(9) … because great is our Lord!

* * * * *

(1) Genesis 2:7

(2) Ezekiel 37:5-6

(3) Job 33:4

(4) Psalm 62:9

(5) Job 34:14-15

(6) Psalm 150:6

(7) Isaiah 42:5

(8) Psalm 104:30

(9) Revelation 7:9

 

Great Are You, Lord 

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

 

It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

 

You give life, You are love
You bring light to the darkness
You give hope, You restore
Every heart that is broken
Great are You, Lord

 

It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only

(Repeat)

 

And all the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord

(Repeat 2x)

 

It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
We pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise
To You only

(Repeat)  

Songwriters: David Leonard / Jason Ingram / Leslie Jordan

Great Are You Lord lyrics © Essential Music Publishing, Capitol Christian Music Group

Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash