Today’s 333 Devotional: “God’s Re-Breath”

God wants to re-breathe new life into His people.

When Solomon dedicated the Temple, the God’s Shekinah glory descended in the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit.

“When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.” (2 Chronicles 7:1)

But over 300 years of unabashed and un-repented sin saw the same powerful presence of God leave, even pausing for a moment to look at what could have been (Ezekiel 10:18-19).

Destruction and desolation followed. Even as the second Temple was rebuilt the people cried as if remembering and reminiscing of what once was, but now was no more.

“Many of the priests and Levites and heads of the fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid.” (Ezra 3:12)

Even after the Temple’s completion and dedicated, the Shekinah glory was withheld (Ezra 6:15-22).

God, however, was going to send the Shekinah glory, God was going to re-breathe new life into His temple, but not the one of brick and mortar, but the one that would now reside within His people.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

And this was fulfilled at Pentecost.

“Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:2-4)

Today God wants to re-breathe new life into His people. The Shekinah glory wants to fall in power to reveal God’s presence. So, let’s put away, repent of our sins and open up that pathway for God’s re-breath.