Scripture for Today: Job 33:4 “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”

These beautiful apricot-colored roses turn pink with age and bloom multiple times. It is a climber and can reach up to ten feet. The long-lasting blooms make for a good vase life and it has a pleasing fragrance. Its unusual name comes from Britain’s Royal College of Midwives. They chose the name, “Breath of Life,” to signify the Creator in Genesis and everyone’s first vital act on entering this world. There is great anticipation at a baby’s birth for that first gasp of breath announcing life!

Today’s verse comes from Elihu’s counsel to Job, who though well-meaning, was wrong in his conclusions regarding the reason for Job’s trials. However, this statement was absolutely true as the breath of the Almighty is what gives life to each individual. In Genesis, we are told that after creating Adam, it wasn’t until God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life that Adam became a living being. (Gen 2:7)

This week will end with a memorial to that momentous moment when Christ on the cross “breathed his last.” (Luke 23:46, Mark 15:37) Although this was (and is) a common saying to signify death, what happens next demonstrates that this was not his last breath! In three short days, the breath of the Almighty will bring Jesus back to life! Christ’s next breath not only announced life for Himself but for all who will trust in Him as God’s Son. (I John 5:11-12)

Lord, I am forever grateful that You conquered death and gave me new life in You.