Exhalation is outward

Ruth Kennedy October 28, 2024 5 1

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Listen to this daily worship

Psalm 34: 1-3 (MSG)

1 I bless God every chance I get;
my lungs expand with his praise.

2 I live and breathe God;
if things aren’t going well, hear this and be happy:

3 Join me in spreading the news;
together let’s get the word out.

How is your breathing just now? Shallow or deep? Nose or mouth or a combination? 

Breathe deeply and notice how a deep inhalation expands our lungs, maybe our diaphragms.  

Athletes know the importance of breathing efficiently as an effective, rhythmical intake of oxygen can boost performance. Breathing in well benefits the whole body and mind. And equally, exhaling deeply combats stress responses (pretty handy if you are about to compete and there might be some nerves running around!). Exhalation creates space for that next cycle of inhalation.

These verses are curious because the lungs are described as expanding with God's praise, but our lungs expand when we inhale. Not when we exhale or give out like we would do with praise. As God, the Holy Spirit breathes in us, our inhalation, we are filled up with praise and worship to God, ready to emit it.

But emit it where? Back to God?

Yes, but also to all places, spreading the news of how good God is, exhaling the reasons to praise God that our lungs are full of. The love and goodness of God, His kindness that we sing of, that we praise Him for is good news to those when things aren’t going well. Songs of praise are part of us being ‘on a mission’, they are part of us joining in with God in what He is doing in the world. 

Have there been times when singing to God or hearing a song has warmed your heart, uplifted you, made your feet feel like dancing? 

Might these songs about our wonderful, loving Lord Jesus and his grace towards us have a similar impact on all who hear, whether they know Jesus or not? Yes, they do – the Bible tells us so! 

‘hear this and be happy’

So crank up the volume and let the praise out from your lungs, from the speakers, from wherever, for the goodness of all, so everyone can be gathered into the heart of Jesus and inhale deeply with His breath.

Prayer:

Yes, Jesus! I have just got to praise you. I inhale your blessings, such an amazing one is your presence with me. You fill me up until I am full and overflowing and ready to burst with wonder and worship. 

And I let all my praise of you flow out from me. I adore you, you are my source of life and everything, you are the Name above all Names and the reason for my hope. You pick me up when I am down and set my feet on stable ground when I feel wobbly, you hold me close and smile at me. 

And today, Holy Spirit spark songs in me to sing out, to play aloud so any and all can hear about your love and come close to you. Break open new songs from heaven in me, ones I might whisper but are still heard. Father, let nobody that I meet today be short of your breath. Amen.