The Upper Room Daily Devotional from The United Methodist Church of Nashville, Tennessee, United States for Monday, 13 November 2017 "Birthday Celebration" by Wayne Greenawalt (Illinois) - Psalm 103:1-5
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DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017
The psalmist wrote, “Praise the Lord, my soul; all
my inmost being, praise his holy name.” (Psalm 103:1 (NIV))
I used to look forward to birthdays. My 16th birthday was a milestone I greatly anticipated. I was not just excited about getting my driver’s license and being able to drive. I was excited about growing up.
As I got older, birthdays lost their luster. I did not look forward to these milestones with great anticipation and celebrated only reluctantly. But recently, my attitude changed when I contemplated today’s reading. The psalmist names the many ways the Lord has blessed him.
It’s easy to grumble about the afflictions and limitations that come with aging, but the psalmist gives us much to celebrate. The Lord forgives our sins, redeems us from death, revitalizes us, and fills our lives with hope. God blessed the psalmist with presence and provision throughout the days of his life. Today’s quoted verse can be our response as well. We can be grateful for growing older. Birthdays can remind us of God’s faithfulness and bring us closer to the day when we shall come face-to-face with the Lord, who has blessed us all the days of our lives.
I used to look forward to birthdays. My 16th birthday was a milestone I greatly anticipated. I was not just excited about getting my driver’s license and being able to drive. I was excited about growing up.
As I got older, birthdays lost their luster. I did not look forward to these milestones with great anticipation and celebrated only reluctantly. But recently, my attitude changed when I contemplated today’s reading. The psalmist names the many ways the Lord has blessed him.
It’s easy to grumble about the afflictions and limitations that come with aging, but the psalmist gives us much to celebrate. The Lord forgives our sins, redeems us from death, revitalizes us, and fills our lives with hope. God blessed the psalmist with presence and provision throughout the days of his life. Today’s quoted verse can be our response as well. We can be grateful for growing older. Birthdays can remind us of God’s faithfulness and bring us closer to the day when we shall come face-to-face with the Lord, who has blessed us all the days of our lives.
TODAY'S PRAYER:
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Psalm 103: (0) By David:
(1) Bless Adonai, my soul!
Everything in me, bless his holy name!
2 Bless Adonai, my soul,
and forget none of his benefits!
3 He forgives all your offenses,
he heals all your diseases,
4 he redeems your life from the pit,
he surrounds you with grace and compassion,
5 he contents you with good as long as you live,
so that your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.
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Birthdays can remind me of God’s faithfulness.
Someone celebrating a birthday today
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Header Photo Credit: "Harvested Land," Beth Shumate. August 15, 2014. (link)
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