Today is my 20,000th Birthday!

by Pastor Paul Wolff

Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

Isaiah was by no means the oldest man, but his image is the oldest looking at Emmanuel, plus he looks a little like me.

As I write this, today is my 20,000^th birthday. Now, I am nowhere near the oldest person who ever lived. My Mom is still alive, and she has lived 25 years more than I have. I have not lived even 100 years, let alone 20,000 years, but I have lived 20,000 days! The oldest person who ever lived was Methuselah (see Genesis 5:27) who lived 969 years, which is at least 353,927 days, plus all the days he may have lived after his last annual birthday.

I have gotten into the habit of celebrating every day as a gift from God. Life is a precious gift, and it is too short to celebrate it only once a year, so I give thanks to God that because of His grace in Christ, He protects my life and provides for all my needs every day. When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, He taught us to ask, “Give us this day our daily bread.” He didn’t tell us to ask for all we need for the coming year, but only enough for today, and we trust that God provides what we need every day.

In His grace, God often generously gives us more than we need to just survive the day, as St. Paul tells the Ephesians (in chapter four verse twenty eight), “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” Any extra that God gives to us is not for our benefit or luxury, but so that we can share with those in need.

Moses wrote in Psalm 90:12, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Wisdom doesn’t necessarily come with many days, unless you are paying attention, but it is something to strive for. Solomon wrote, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Wisdom and understanding are a gift from God, as is a long life, and these gifts come from the mouth of the Lord. That is why I have devoted my life to studying God’s Word and sharing that with my congregation, friends, co-workers, and all who read my articles such as this one.

Jesus also taught, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40) Even if we are not still alive when Jesus returns for Judgment Day, He may still come to take us to our heavenly home. We ought to always trust that Jesus will not abandon us or forget about us, since He has promised, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, quoting Deuteronomy 31:6) Jesus has also promised, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) Even in our hour of death, Jesus will not abandon His people, but will come to take us to be with Him.

Christ bless you, and have a Happy Birthday! You may have more or less than 20,000 days, but you can celebrate the life that God has given you, too.