Morning Devotional
July 9, 2005
"Red Letter Day"    
    by Don Emmitte

And the LORD said to Moses, "Whenever you take a census of the people of Israel, each man who is counted must pay a ransom for himself to the LORD. Then there will be no plagues among the people as you count them. His payment to the LORD will be one-fifth of an ounce of silver. All who have reached their twentieth birthday must give this offering to the LORD. (Exodus 30:11-14 NLT).

 

July 9th is a “red letter day” for my oldest son. Kyle is thirty-one years old today. I’m not sure what all he will be doing to celebrate this day. I know we’ll be doing some things together. We have a little fishing trip planned and I’m sure we’ll spend some time together as a family as well.

 

Birthdays are always special events regardless of the activities or the age. There are some that take on more meaning than others however. For me I remember some of them much more than others. I remember when I turned fourteen. It was at that age that I was first legally able to drive. That was the signal for the approaching of adulthood. Freedom came in large doses with the ability to drive. I also very clearly remember being twenty-one. The ability to vote and be a part of the determination of the structure of the leadership of our government was a weighty responsibility. Reaching forty was a “black” celebration. Most of them following that day paled in comparison.

 

However, there is one birthday that will always be the most memorable. It was in April of 1969. That was my first “birth-day.” The moment I sought the forgiveness of Christ in faith and was born again is the most significant moment of my life spiritually. This is at the heart of the Lord’s instructions to Moses in our reading today. Everyone was instructed to make a special offering on their twentieth birthday as a declaration of their thanksgiving for God’s atonement. It was in that identification of faith that the people of God acknowledged their complete dependence on God for life.

 

And, isn’t that at the heart of our celebrations today? We have birthday celebrations simply to say, “I made it another year!” For some that may be more difficult than others. For all of us, it ought to cause us to reflect on the way we have spent the time. Later when Kyle and I are together for his birthday, I’m sure we’ll do some reminiscing. There is so much to be thankful for in our lives.

 

While it might not be your birthday today, or even anyone you know, spend a little time thanking God for the days you have been given. Single out those moments in your past that have been “red letter days.” Reflect on the grace and blessing you have been given. Even if you have been suffering lately, go back to the days of blessing, and see if you won’t feel better now too.