There’s Still Waterಮಾದರಿ

Borrowed Breath

We often think of David dancing and praising God when he returned triumphantly with the ark of the covenant. But this Psalm is different. Here, David is in the wilderness. He has fled from his own son, Absalom, who sought to overthrow David and take the throne for himself. He and the people with him are hungry, thirsty, and exhausted. But that doesn’t stop David from praising God. He reflects on the times when he had observed God’s great power, incredible glory, and unfailing love. Then, as The Voice translation puts it, he says, “I will bless You with every breath of my life; I will lift up my hands in praise to Your name.”

Several years before I first heard the song “Borrowed Breath,” I experienced a blood clot that cut off blood flow to my liver. And though the excellent care of my doctors resolved the immediate threat of the clot, for many years, I experienced significant pain throughout my diaphragm due to the damage the clot caused. As a singer, the diaphragm is an important muscle. And every time I sang, it came at the expense of pain for multiple days. There were many times that I desperately asked God to remove this “thorn” in my flesh. But his answer always came back as, “not yet.” So, I praised him with the pain.

Too often, we are only willing to praise God when things are going well. When we get that new job. When we see relationships restored. Or when we see someone turn to him after years of prayer. And these are certainly praiseworthy. But God is worthy of our praise no matter the circumstances. And sometimes we have to praise God in the pain, physical, emotional, or even spiritual. So, whether you find yourself partying on the mountain top or wandering in the wilderness, praise God!

I should add that not long after we began singing “Borrowed Breath” at Engedi, I went through one final medical procedure. I am so excited to say that it no longer hurts to sing. But God is no more, and no less, worthy of my continued adoration. The pain is gone, but the praise goes on!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you are worthy! Help me to love, glorify, and praise you with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength. When I am walking through the trials of life, you have promised that you are there, walking right beside me. Thank you for your presence. Thank you for your strength. With your final breath on the cross you declared “it is finished.” You proclaimed the victory. And so, with every breath that you give me, may you be praised. In Jesus’ name, Amen.