Moment in the Word

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth... Romans 10:8

 

I recently heard the local Ukrainian minister make the most beautiful statement about a truly meaningful life lived with God's most holy name constantly expressed at each breath.

 

Commissioned at the Burning Bush, Moses urgently asked to know God's name. The Almighty answered, "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14

 

In our modern English, we might translate the statement, "I AM the only One WHO IS," but in Judaism, the words represent, "Yahweh," God's most sacred name in the Old Testament.

 

Since vowels were never used in the earliest Hebrew language, the original name was spelled with capitalized consonants, "YHWH." The word was then divided into two syllables, whose subtle expression mimicked the sound of human breathing, "YH" (inhale) and "WH" (exhale).

 

Paraphrased from blogger, Chris Lacy, "A baby's first cry speaks the name of God. Too heavy for mere words; an anguished sigh, groan, or gasp expresses His eternal presence. Even atheists speak God's name at the moment of death, unaware that their dying breath finally acknowledges the Divine.... God chose to take a name that we can't help but speak every moment of our lives."

 

(https://chrislacy1990.medium.com/yhwh-his-breath-in-our-lungs-21c2bc60571b)

 

Maybe this was partly Christ's intent when He said, "Nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21

 

Or St. Paul might have counseled the Athenians with the same thought in mind, "For in him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

 

The words of Jesus and the apostle are poignantly true since, with each breath, we whisper "God" from birth till the moment of death. But how we live determines whether His most holy name is used meaningfully or wasted in vain... which the Commandments solemnly warn against, "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain." Exodus 20:7

 

So, how is the Creator represented each time you breathe? Is the constant repetition of His name a soft utterance of grace and love, or is your life a wasted expression of vanity? Never forget that, "we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body." 2 Corinthians 5:10

 

So, each time you unwittingly whisper God's holy name, remember that every breath counts for something. Accept Christ as your Savior for the sake of glory rather than denying Him and face the eternal shame of using His name in vain.

 

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth... Romans 10:8