Title: Lessons of Birthday Celebrations.

-

Scripture focus: Psalms 90:12  So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Birthdays are moments of joy, gratitude, and reflection. They remind us of the gift of life and the faithfulness of God who sustains us day by day. Each passing year is not just a marker of age but a testimony of God’s mercy and purpose in our lives.  

In Scripture, we see glimpses of birthday celebrations. Pharaoh celebrated his birthday with a feast, and it was on that day that Joseph’s interpretation of dreams came to pass, leading to the restoration of the chief cupbearer (Genesis 40:20–22). This reminds us that birthdays can be turning points—moments when God fulfills His word and sets His plans in motion.  

Job, reflecting on the day of his birth, cried out in anguish (Job 3:1–3). His lament shows us that birthdays are not only about festivity but also about acknowledging the reality of life’s trials. Yet even in sorrow, God’s presence remains constant, teaching us that every year carries both joy and challenge, but His grace is sufficient.  

The psalmist declares, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). This verse is perhaps the greatest lesson of birthday celebrations: they are not merely about counting years but about seeking wisdom to live them well. Each birthday is an invitation to reflect on how we are walking with God, stewarding our time, and preparing for eternity.  

King David, in his songs of praise, often acknowledged God as the source of his life: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). A birthday is therefore a celebration of God’s craftsmanship, a reminder that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  

As we celebrate birthdays, let us learn these lessons:  
- To give thanks for the gift of life and God’s sustaining power.  
- To reflect on the past year with humility and gratitude.  
- To renew our commitment to walk in wisdom and righteousness.  
- To remember that our days are numbered, and each one is precious in God’s sight.  

A birthday is not just about cakes and candles—it is a spiritual milestone. May we celebrate with hearts lifted in worship, acknowledging the One who gives life, redeems it through Christ, and promises eternal joy beyond the years we count on earth.  

©Dr Joel Olanrewaju gbemide09@gmail.com. Written in honour of my beloved daughter whose birthday is today.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Title: Trusting in God.

-
Are you trusting God for something or are you in a situation where you have tried and not getting it? Then put your trust in God, follow the steps in the picture below.  May God answer your prayers in Jesus' name, Amen. 
Read more

Title: When your time shall be over, you'll fly away.

-
Psalms 90:10  The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Devotional: Late music legend – Peter Tosh sang a song with this title many years ago. It came to mind yesterday while I listened to a beautifully delivered sermon at a burial. I therefore penned this devotional on same title. Do not be deceived, at a point in your life you’ll fly away.   There comes a day when the tapestry of your earthly existence is folded. The moments of struggle, joy, triumph, and trials will all coalesce into a story complete. When that time comes, the soul, unburdened by the weight of the mortal frame, ascends beyond the veil of this world—taking flight toward eternal rest.   You are not bound to the temporal; your essence is celestial. As the Psalmist declared, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten...it is soon cut off, and we ...
Read more

Title: Divine Acceleration.

-
Genesis 41:40-41  Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. Devotion: Have you ever felt like your dreams are taking too long to come true? Like you're walking a slow path while others seem to be racing ahead? Take heart—God is a God of acceleration! When He steps in, He can take you from waiting to walking in His promises in an instant.   Consider the story of Joseph. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit—it seemed like his dreams were slipping further away. But when God's appointed time arrived, Joseph was promoted from the prison to the palace in a single day! (Genesis 41:14-41). Years of waiting, hardship, and ...
Read more