Day 24

Genesis 47–48 | Mark 10:32–52

“The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day.” (Genesis 48:15)

Birthdays invite reflection. Today, as I turn another year older, I find myself looking back over the years—at the joys, the heartbreaks, the triumphs, the trials. Life hasn’t turned out how I envisioned it, and yet I see God’s hand so clearly, weaving purpose through it all.

Genesis 47–48 shows us Jacob at the end of his life. A man who had known profound pain and loss, Jacob now sees God’s faithfulness in ways he couldn’t during his years of wrestling and wandering. In blessing Joseph’s sons, he proclaims God’s goodness—the God who had shepherded him all his days and redeemed his life from the depths.

In Mark 10, Jesus is on His way to the cross. His disciples struggle to grasp the weight of what’s ahead, but one man, blind Bartimaeus, cries out for mercy. When Jesus asks, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus responds so simply: “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus, moved by faith, heals him.

Today, I feel the tension of those two stories. Like Jacob, I reflect on the past and God’s faithful hand is so apparent, even though I couldn’t see it at the time. Like Bartimaeus, I sit here aware of my own blindness—not just physically, as my hand still heals, but spiritually, where I still wrestle to see God’s purposes fully. Yet through it all, He has been my Shepherd, guiding me, providing for me, showing me that His mercy is sufficient.

Birthdays remind me of how fleeting life is, yet also how faithful God is. He sees every moment of our lives—every joy, every sorrow, every in-between. And in His perfect timing, He brings redemption and purpose, often in ways we don’t expect.

Lord, thank You for shepherding me through another year. Open my eyes to see You more clearly. Teach me to trust Your goodness in every season and to use the days You’ve given me for Your glory. Amen.