Breath of life

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

In his book Life After Heart Surgery, David Burke recalls his close brush with death. Lying in his hospital bed after a second open-heart surgery, he found himself in incredible pain, unable to draw a full breath. Feeling that he was slipping toward eternity, he prayed one last time, trusting God and thanking Him for forgiveness of his sin.

David was thinking about seeing his dad, who had died several years earlier, when his nurse asked how he was feeling. He replied, “I’m okay now,” explaining he was ready to go to heaven and meet God. “Not on my shift, buddy!” she said. Soon the doctors were opening his chest again and removing two liters of fluid. That done, David began to recover.

It’s not unusual for any of us to ponder what it will be like when we face our final moments on earth. But those who “die in the Lord” have the certainty that they are “blessed” (Rev. 14:13) and that their death is “precious in the sight of the Lord” (Ps. 116:15).

God fashioned our days even before we existed (Ps. 139:16), and we exist now only because “the breath of the Almighty gives [us] life” (Job 33:4). Though we don’t know how many breaths we have left — we can rest in the knowledge that He does. — Cindy Hess Kasper              

God holds our future in His hands

And gives us every breath;

Just knowing that He’s by our side

Allays our fear of death. — Sper

READ: Psalm 139:13-18

From our first breath

to our last, we are in God’s care.

The Bible in one year:

• 1 Samuel 25-26; Luke 12:32-59