Celebrate! May 23, 2025 Devotional
May 23, 2025
LEVITICUS 23:1-2 | 1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: These are the appointed festivals of the Lord that you shall proclaim as holy convocations, my appointed festivals.
In a single chapter God creates a calendar of celebrations to help Israel mark milestone moments. The word for celebration in Hebrew is hagag, which means to keep or observe. There were extended festivals like First Fruits and weeks to celebrate yearly harvests, God’s regular provision. The Festival of Booths recalled the time of divine protection and supply in the 40 years in the wilderness. There were special days, like the Day of Atonement, to call to mind and heart God’s forgiveness. There was the weekly Sabbath, recalling the gift of time with our Creator with all its many joys and opportunities, and the rescue from oppression in Egypt. God is the source of both life and freedom!
Milestones can be literal places that recall God’s blessings or they can be moments in time that order our lives and souls toward gratitude, anticipation, and hope.
How do you foster milestones in time?
Gracious God,
Help us mark our time in thanks and gratitude, recalling Your blessings. May we live in a holy rhythm.
Amen.
