Breath of the Almighty

Some of the people I remember most fondly in regard to my walk with Christ from my childhood are the ones who made me feel able to contribute despite being young. The youth leaders and church elders who encouraged me and challenged me with new concepts and hard questions always made me feel confident despite feeling less experienced or knowledgable about life than my elders. As I myself grow older and begin seeing younger family members and church members share their own experiences with Christ, I’ve definitely seen for myself what those who knew the younger me must have: wisdom from Christ knows no age.

In particular, Job 32 & 33 demonstrates this in a rather straightforward way. Once Job, in his many sorrows, resigns himself to being deaf to God’s directions, a young observer makes his own thoughts known. Elihu, this young man in question, in exasperation with those who would try and fail to console Job in a Godly manner, is clearly not the most confident speaker. He says in a straightforward manner how he was timid to speak out of turn when his elders were talking, but finds confidence in his faith. As Elihu says in Job 32:7-8: “I said ’Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom. But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the Almighty, that makes him understand.” Again in Job 33:4: “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty has filled me.”

We know wisdom and the soundness of mind it offers comes only from God. As Proverbs 2:6-8 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.” As the Lord has breathed our very lives into the bodies of ours He has created, so does He fill anyone who walks with Him with His understanding and integrity. That’s why it’s important to remember when anyone speaks of Him with hearts and minds centered toward Him, they share what wisdom the breath of the Almighty has stored within them and granted them. No matter how young, or inexperienced, or well-studied and verbose they may be, when someone speaks Scripture and shares His word, wisdom from the Lord can be found. We can easily see our own human limits first and foremost, and look past how a boundless Lord may use us. But Scripture tells us here to trust that when the Holy Spirit moves us to speak, we can trust in Him and His wisdom that we share. It’s important to not count out anyone’s voice as well, or hold someone’s thoughts is lower regard when sharing the word of God.

Likewise, it’s equally important to remember the breath of the Almighty fills your lungs as well – and to view this both in pride and humility. If you share the experiences and blessings of the Lord to other, and speak wisely of His word, you’re helping share with others the deliverance the Lord provides. But on the other side of this responsibility, James 3:2 says “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.” Through this chapter, James speaks of the destructive capabilities of the tongue, how it is “a fire, a world of unrighteousness.” The same tongue that we can use to proclaim Godly wisdom, when used in sinful fits, can cause immeasurable harm to those around us. How do you wield your tongue? Does your mouth metaphorically sling spiritual fire and unrighteousness, causing harm to those around you? Or do your words reflect the righteousness and understanding of He who grants you each breath? Each breath that leaves your mouth has been put there by God, so how could we use that breath to show gratitude by speaking confidently and joyously about Him?

Today, let us reflect on both of these ideas: that the wisdom the Lord fills us with can surely be trusted, to speak holy truths confidently; and how we handle the same mouths that speak truth when sin leads us to do otherwise. In both of these, pray for trust in the Lord, that your words could reflect His truths naturally and thankfully.