August is one of my favorite months because I celebrate another year of life. During the month, I take time to both rest and reflect on the year I’ve had. More often than not, I prefer to transition into the next year of life easily, ensuring that gratitude and stillness are at the forefront.

This year, I felt a tug on my spirit to search the Bible for scriptures that can be used to celebrate birthdays and scriptures that can serve as a blueprint for how to live a long and purposeful life. Here are the 13 Bible verses that resonated:

1. Psalms 20:4 (NIV)

“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.”

2. Psalms 134:14 (NKJV)

“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”

3. Job 12:12 (NIV)

“Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?”

4. 3 John 1:2 (NIV)

“Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.”

5. Numbers 5:24-26 (CEV)

“I pray that the Lord will bless and protect you and that he will show you mercy and kindness. May the Lord be good to you and give you peace.”

6. Proverbs 9:11 (NKJV)

“For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.”

7. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

8. Psalms 91:11 (NLT)

“For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”

9. Isaiah 46:4 (NIV)

“Even in your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

10. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

“For I know the plans I have fo you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

11. 2 Corinthians 9:15 (CEV)

“Thank God for his gift that is too wonderful for words!”

12. Psalms 118:24 (ESV)

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

13. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV) 

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

I plan to record these scriptures in my journal and meditate on them for the entire month. And although I won’t be celebrating my birthday until August 11th, I know that God has already gone before me to ensure that day is blessed and special.