Anyhow, as I'm reading the Passover traditions and commentaries by Wiesel, I came to a prayer recited during the feast. The prayer is called Dayenu, which means 'it would have sufficed', here it is:
How thankful and grateful must we be to GOD for all the marvelous things He did for us.Had He delivered us from Egypt and not punished the Egyptians, it would have sufficed.
Had He punished the Egyptians and not destroyed their idols, it would have sufficed.
Had He destroyed their idols and not slain their firstborn, it would have sufficed.
Had He slain their firstborn and not given us their fortunes, it would have sufficed.
Had He given us their fortunes and not parted the sea for us, it would have sufficed.
Had He parted the sea for us and not brought us through the sea on dry land, it would have sufficed.
Had He brought us through the sea on dry land and not drowned our oppressors in the sea, it would have sufficed.
Had He drowned our oppressors in the sea and not helped us for forty years in the desert, it would have sufficed.
Had He helped us for forty years in the desert and not fed us manna, it would have sufficed.
Had He fed us manna and not given us the Sabbath, it would have sufficed.
Had He given us the Sabbath and not brought us to Mount Sinai, it would have sufficed.
Had He brought us to Mount Sinai and not given us the Torah, it would have sufficed.
Had He given us the Torah and not brought us into the land of Israel, it would have sufficed.
Had He brought us into the land of Israel and not built for us the Temple, the Holy Temple, it would still have sufficed.
GOD not only brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, but through a series of events and promises made them the most glorious and wealthy nation of people on earth. Most people don't know this, but GOD's promises hold true that Israel would be a wealthy nation, Jewish peoples make up 3% of the world's population, but own over 40% of the world's wealth. Pretty incredible huh?!?
When I read this prayer I fell in love with it and Jesus all over again. I began to think about my testimony, where I've been, where I've come from and what GOD has brought me out of. As I meditated on this prayer, gratefulness and humility began to overwhelm me. It would have sufficed if Jesus were to only give me forgiveness of my sins. Had He brought me out of my personal Egypt of depression, addiction, lust and anger, it would have sufficed. Had He given me a job that provided for me needs, it would have sufficed. Had He given me these and not a smoking hot wife (but I'm thankful He did), it would have sufficed. How beautiful, awesome, loving and generous our GOD is!!!
If we just read this as just another Passover, Jewish prayer we're missing it. This prayer has been recited for thousands of generations, even before Jesus death and resurrection. It pointed us towards GOD as our helper, deliverer and provider and to be thankful that He chose to release His grace. I believe it was meant to continue reciting during our Judeo-Christian Easter to keep us humble and thankful. Wiesel comments after the prayer, "A Jew defines himself by his capacity of gratitude." How thankful we should continually be for Jesus death and resurrection, that His grace was poured out so we could experience the best life.
What was your personal Egypt? What kept you in bondage and misery? Maybe you feel like you're still there, like there's things in your life that are a "slave driver" over you. Jesus came to take you out of your personal Egypt, to give you rest, give you the peace you've been searching for, and prosper you. Let Him have your life today, follow Him and watch how He'll give you the needs and desires of your heart. As Pastor Lonny would say and Alissa Meyer would sing, HE GIVES THE BEST LIFE.
