The Breath of Life
Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. Revelation 11:11
Recently, I have been under a load of care. I couldn’t quite identify what was going on exactly, but I was feeling overwhelmed and stagnant. Oh, I was still able to go through my daily routines, but life was feeling stale and uninspired. I knew some of the heaviness was the result of some unhealthy habits I had fallen into, but I was not strong enough to pick myself up without help. After praying about it for several days and asking for help from the Holy Spirit. I finally felt impressed to ask a friend to help me stay accountable as I started a fast to eliminate the draining habits I had allowed in my life. On the third day, I was on the treadmill listening to worship music and praising God as I often do during that activity. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I sensed the Holy Spirit voice on the inside of my heart. He said that in this season I needed to “Step it up” and not allow myself to get under the load. I had been wondering if I was taking on too much, but He showed me that His empowering grace was what I needed to keep flowing in my life to accomplish the missions that He has me on. The toxic habits I had allowed in were smothering the flow of God’s grace in my life. That breath of life from the word of the Holy Spirit was all I needed to hold on to and get me up from the funk I had been swimming in. I am so thankful that when we take the time to hear from Him, He shows up to lead us through whatever we are going through.
In today’s reading, we see another demonstration of the breath of life that raised up the two witnesses after they have been killed by the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit. Their bodies will lay in the street for three days. Unlike Jesus’ body that was placed in a tomb for three days, enclosed by a large rock to cover the entrance of the tomb, the witnesses’ bodies lay out in the street where everyone in the world will look on for three days. Suddenly, on the third day, the breath of life from God will come into their bodies again and they will stand up on their feet so that all the world can see them alive once again. Immediately after they get up, they will hear a voice from heaven calling them to “come up” and they will ascend into the clouds of the air just a Jesus did at His ascension. They will go home to heaven ever to be with their Lord Jesus. Again, things begin to tremble on the earth and another great earthquake that kills seven thousand people. Finally, the people of the world will give glory to God because of this undeniable display of His resurrection power.
I know I am drawing some great conclusions from this passage to reduce the breath of God down to my everyday circumstances, but the point is, God’s breath will reach us wherever we are in life. From raising up from death to giving new live to the stale ruts of everyday life. His breath will renew and restore whatever we are going through in this world.
What about you? Are you facing some uphill battles in your world today? Do you feel like you are under a load of care being crushed by your circumstances? Whatever it is, God has a plan to get you out from underneath it and raise you up strengthened and restored. He will breathe the breath of life into your troubles and call you to “come up” to a higher level with Him. He will walk you through the valleys of life and keep you close on the path of His righteousness.
Today I want to encourage you in whatever struggle you are currently going through. Get alone and press into Him. Shut out the outside world for a time so that you can hear His direction more clearly. Ask a friend to walk with you through a fast or time of separating from the distractions of life and take time to listen to that still small voice within your heart. It may feel like three days in the grave but stick with it until the answer comes. You will feel the release of the pressure that is trying to snuff you out and you will gain new strength for the mission He has called you to. He will empower you to come up to higher ground with Him and then you will give glory to God for His presence and renewed purpose.
Today’s scripture reading: Revelation 11:11-14
11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.
12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.
13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe is coming quickly.
The Daily Dose 