THE BLESSING OF BIRTH

“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb” – Psalm 139:13

The Blessings of Life are accessed and experienced through the BLESSING of BIRTH: “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb” (Psa.139:13). Birthdays or Womb-days are times for joy, celebration, and reflection: Another year older, and preferably better! The Bible contains many encouraging words of wisdom about: the Gift of Children, Blessings of Conception and Birth, and celebration of those yearly milestones. The profound beauty of birthdays is evidenced in the Love of God who made each of us unique, has been there since we were born and will be there till the end. The Lord who upheld us in the womb also sustains us in the world.

Pregnancy is a unique season in life; a time filled with anticipation, curiosity, excitement and worry. Questions may run through would-be parents’ minds: What will the baby look like? What will the baby enjoy doing? What challenges and trials will the child face in life? Christian parents know enough to begin to pray for their children’ lives and future relationship with God right from the womb. It's amazing that even before there is a positive pregnancy test, the Lord knows the child in the womb, makes them wonderfully and fashions them intricately. God told Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jer.1:5). Paul also wrote: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace” (Gal.1:15).

God has a plan for the baby in the womb whose gender the parents are yet to know. He creates every child uniquely in His eyes. The little one, now so small, is born to do great things! While nesting and growing the bundle of blessing is the perfect time to begin praying for all that God has planned for these His beautiful gifts: “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate” (Psa.127: 3-5). God promises the righteous: “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine in the very heart of your house, Your children like olive plants all around your table” (Psa.128:4).

God assures Believers of His sustaining Hand from the womb to Old Age: “Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, Who have been upheld by Me from birth, Who have been carried from the womb: Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (Isa.46:4). David prayed: “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psa.90:12). Every day in the land of the living is “the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psa.118:24).

As by God’s Grace, I add another year TODAY, I connect afresh to His Covenant of Life and Longevity: “With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psa.91:16). I therefore commune with Him Who formed me in my mother’s womb and has sustained me from babyhood to adulthood: “I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails…O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come” (Psa.71: 7-9, 17-18). These I will accomplish by His Grace!