Inhale, Exhale

The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4

When I read what Sandra Thurman Caporale wrote about the breath of YHWH, it really stood out to me, so I had to share.

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 breath is giving constant acknowledgment to God.

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

God’s breath is what we need every day to succeed, prosper and be fulfilled. We need His breath to Succeed in Relationships, Prosper in Life and Fulfill His every Plan and Purpose for us. So go ahead with every breath you take Deeply Breathe YHWH in!

Praying your every breath in every circumstance be a reminder that God is always with you, fighting for you, rejoicing with you, loving you, helping and guiding you through every season of life. Amen.