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Psalm 90:9-10,12 – All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (NIV)
A short time ago, I celebrated my eightieth year on this planet. Right now, it is the best age to be. In fact, I am so excited about being eighty years old that from now on, I will refer to myself as eighty years young. I know that I will need all the help that I can get if I am to maintain this attitude!
All my family, all fourteen of them — daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren — travelled — some a very long distance — to have a surprise birthday party for me. And what a party it was! The love and energy that were generated reached such a degree that I was truly overwhelmed by it all. I was blessed over and over again as they prayed for me and congratulated me. I am very grateful to have a loving God, a loving wife, and a loving family.
So, now that I am eighty, I am reminded that Moses was eighty years old when he spoke to Pharaoh to begin the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt. I find inspiration in the fact that Moses did not begin his life's work until he was eighty years old. He was spiritually mature and physically ready for this important task.
Just as Moses persevered through many challenging situations before leading the Israelites to freedom, we, too, must be willing to push through difficulties and setbacks, including illness, in order to grow and be transformed spiritually.
With new eyes and fresh understanding now, I read Psalm 90, which was written by Moses. In today's passage, he stresses how short life is for people in comparison with God's eternal nature. I immediately sensed a flood of renewed energy and strength come over me that I have not experienced in a long time. As I continued to read, I felt a strong desire to continue to gain a heart of wisdom.
Sometimes, we just have to allow the Holy Spirit to do His good work in us so that we can more effectively know Christ and make Him known as we allow Him to "teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You for the life that You have given us. Each day is precious, so help us not to take it for granted. Help us to make wiser choices in what truly matters as we focus on eternal values and the impact that we can make during our brief existence here on this earth for Your honour and glory. May Your favour rest upon us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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Happy Birthday, Stephen.
Thank-you and happy belated birthday!
Thank you so much. Your message really hit home for me (I’m 83).
Thank you – your message spoke to my age, my joy in faith and family.
Thank you so much for that Steven. God has truly blessed you. I loved reading your devotional.
Thank you for that. As 80 gets closer I too am I a place of growth. New beginnings. Blessings!
Thank you for your words today.
I am 95 and still going strong.
May you have many more years.
Aging is a matter of “mind over matter”. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. Thank you for your reminder that no matter where you are in life, it’s never too late.
Good afternoon Stephen,
Thanks for this good devotional, a reminder to remember that each day is precious. Blessings.
Stephen French,
Happy birthday to you and many years of growing spiritually. I appreciate your positive stride. The bible seems far grimmer in comparison.
Amen and amen! I’m also in my eighties! Need I say that I’m very grateful for each new day. Today I’m potting flowers. Tomorrow remains a mystery. As the song goes, “one day at a time”. Blessings.
Thank you, Stephen, for your very good words giving the encouragement to “keep going forward”. Yes no matter what age we get to, it is important to keep reading and following our Lord’s word. Blessings as you continue to prepare devotionals beyond your eightieth birthday!
Thank you for your devotional and congratulations on your 80th. On my 90th birthday, I claimed Psalm 90 for the year and read it regularly. Now I’m reading Psalm 119. I love that Psalm and look forward to it on my schedule every month. Have a great year and I love your enthusiasm and testimony. Blessings.
Good morning, Stephen!
Thank you for your wise message today. May you continue to be blessed with sharing the good news with us as we grow stronger in our faith with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessings!
Good morning Stephen,
Congratulations on being eighty years young and reminding us that God uses people at all ages to do His wishes. May you continue to hear God’s Word, for sharing your experience, and the marvel of seeing things with fresh eyes. Blessings.
Congrats on your 80th!!!! God is good and so true what the Word says. Sunday my pastor closed with a scripture verse along the lines in old age you will be fruitful??? Can’t think where to find that scripture verse.
I am 75 years young or you see some write, I have been around the sun 75 times! It is amazing the things I am experiencing with Him!
God bless.
Stephen, what a beautiful writing. It certainly hit home for me. I write also at seventy six but my life and confidence has taken a hit, as of late. We have decided to move to live in an in-law quarters at my daughter’s home. Keeping up with a large property has became hard for my eighty year old husband. It seems an end of an era for he and I. Praying for a ripe field of folks needing the Lord that I can turn toward heaven.
Dear Stephen, your reflection today is so so perfect for me, and to think that I nearly didn’t take time to read it. I too am 80 – almost 81 – and am in much the same situation visiting a daughter and her wonderful large family. One of our sons and his family are visiting as well. With a loving husband, three wonderfully helpful kids of our own and grandchildren – how beautiful! However, my dear husband suffers with Alzheimer’s disease and is totally dependent on me. I’ve been struggling … and your reflection has helped immensely. Thank you so much. God bless.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Thanks you, Stephen. I, too, turned 80 this year and this devotional is encouraging to me.