We Breathe YWHW

  I read something this week that I do not recall hearing in this way before.  It shook me to the core and I was amazed at the all encompassing presence and glory of God in a brand new way.  After researching it some and confirming that the information was accurate and not merely a "feel good" inspirational segment, I have been meditating on the truths shared whenever I had some moments to reflect.  It has brought me to tears of joy and adoration.  It has caused me to weep over the lack of knowledge I have of who our God is and exactly how much He is concerned with the fact that we are made in His image.  

    First, I would like to share the short piece writing that rocked my world this week:

There was a moment when Moses had the nerve to ask God what his name is. God was gracious enough to answer, and the name he gave is recorded in the original Hebrew as YHWH.

Over time we’ve arbitrarily added an “a” and an “e” in there to get YaHWeH, presumably because we have a preference for vowels.

But scholars and Rabi’s have noted that the letters YHWH represent breathing sounds, or aspirated consonants. When pronounced without intervening vowels, it actually sounds like breathing.

YH (inhale): WH (exhale).

So a baby’s first cry, his first breath, speaks the name of God.

A deep sigh calls His name – or a groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words.

Even an atheist would speak His name, unaware that their very breathe is giving constant acknowledgment to God.

Likewise, a person leaves this earth with their last breath, when God’s name is no longer filing their lungs.

So when I can’t utter anything else, is my cry calling out His name?

Being alive means I speak His name constantly.

So, is it heard the loudest when I’m the quietest?

In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs.

In joy, our lungs feel almost like they will burst.

In fear we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down.

When we’re about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage.

When I think about it, breathing is giving him praise. Even in the hardest moments!

This is so beautiful and fills me with emotion every time I grasp the thought.

God chose to give himself a name that we can’t help but speak every moment we’re alive.

All of us, always, everywhere.

Waking, sleeping, breathing, with the name of God on our lips.

Written by – Sandra Thurman Caporale from the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston.

Scripture does indeed support this author's claims:

The Hebrew word of Holy Spirit is Ruach HaKodesh, which means wind, or breath.  

God breathed into man at creation:  Genesis 2:7, and 7:22

“I will bless Yahweh at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1

 “Let every thing that hath breath praise Yah. HalleluYah.” Psalm 150:6

So many verses refer to "the breath of life" or "breath of God."  Job 27:3, Acts 17:25, Revelation 11:11 are just a few examples. 

    The name of Jesus, YWHW, is being breathed by all who are alive, whether we choose to breathe praise to Him, or to blaspheme.  How sobering. How amazing! How humbling.  He will be praised with our every breath. The Creator demands and receives the praises of His creation. 

 It is beautiful to know that our God desires to inhabit the praises of His people so fully.  It is simultaneously terrifying to realize that so often we use the very breath that He gives, the breath that speaks His Holy name each time with every cycle of respiration to blaspheme His name, His principles, His very essence.  His power and glory are praised even in my darkest moments of sin and doubt.  However, by realizing this, it draws me nearer to Him.  My thoughts and desires are drawn closer to His, and I will praise His name more and more.  

    May we realize more fully His name is in our very breath.  May we call on that name in our weakness. May we praise that name in our joys.  He hears our whispers and our shouts.  Praise His Holy name! 

💓 Heather Sparks💓