Special days, months, seasons and years (and numbers)

Galatians 4:9-10 (NIV)
9 But now that you know God--or rather are known by God--how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?
10 You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!

1-11-11 has passed.  I think a number of people will claim that they had a good day.  Yesterday it rained continually here where I lived, and caused a number of areas to be flooded for a while.  Should we blame 1-11-11 for that?  I wonder how many people bought lotto tickets with the numbers 1-11-11 and won today?

We all have a tendency to focus on special numbers, days, etc to bring us good fortune.  There’s something about the mysteriousness of it that enchants us, lures us to believe.  Some will even believe that special days and months and years bring a special working of God.

Paul made it clear to the Galatian Christians not to be ENSLAVED by depending on special days, months, seasons and years to seek blessing and favor from the Lord.

“Under the influence of the Judaizers the Galatians had at least begun to observe the Mosaic calendar. They kept special days (weekly sabbaths), and months (new moons), and seasons (seasonal festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles), and years (sabbatical and jubilee years). (Cf. Col. 2:16.) They observed these special times, thinking that they would thereby gain additional merit before God. —Bible Knowledge Commentary”

The key here is where it says “thinking they will gain additional merit before God”.  Whether it be additional merit, or favor, or blessing, a Christian should not be focused on numbers, days or years.  Our focus should be on the Lord’s favor day by day, moment by moment.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It’s a faith founded on promises like these:

Psalms 23:1;6 (NIV)
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

When will goodness and love follow us?  All the days of our life.  And by God’s grace we will enjoy His presence for how long?  Forever.

There’s nothing here about a special day, or number, or any merit on our part to earn what God desires to bless us with.  All He asks is that He be our Shepherd.

Psalms 128:1-6 (NIV)
1 Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
5 May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,
6 and may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.

All we have to be is someone who fears the Lord, above all men, even above ourselves.  And all these blessings are ours.  Again, no need for anything special.

So let’s stop looking and waiting for those special numbered dates, or special days when we think we can garner the blessings of God.  As we walk with the Lord as our Shepherd, and as we live in holy, reverential fear of Him, our days are assured of His guidance, love and blessing.