Get Your Own Air

There are people in this world who choose to deny the existence of God. 

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They have decided that this beautiful, intricate universe in which we live has developed by chance and random occurrence.  They have looked at the wonder of their own hands and decided that the ability to play the piano, or type with few typos (something I have not mastered) comes just as the need to do so presented itself over eons of years.  These persons want to live their lives independent of the God who created and continues to sustain all around them.

If our Lord were a petty god, He would perhaps say to them, "OK, you can be independent of me.  That's fine.  But find your own air to breathe."

You see the Scriptures tell us that  "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though He needed any thing, seeing He giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;" (Acts 17:24, 25.)  He gives everyone, whether they accept His existence or not, ALL things, including our very breath.

I was talking with my grandchildren one day about how wonderful it was that the Lord didn't make it so that we had to remember to breathe.  How would we ever sleep?  He makes sure we take that next breath . . . He has built it into the design of our bodies that we cannot "forget" to do so.  He gives us life, He gives us breath, and He gives us everything else.

In His graciousness and kindness, even when we are rebellious to Him -- whether they be moments of rebellion or years of it -- He doesn't tell us to "get our own air," He continues to lovingly provide us with our very life. If nothing else, that shows the nature and character of our God.  It presents to us the depth of His love, and His willingness to patiently wait for us to turn to Him, all the while using "His air" while we vehemently proclaim our independence of Him.  How infinite must be His patience, how great must be His love.

 "The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.
  The LORD is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. 

Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them."

Psalm 145: 8,9,16, 19