by Jenn Eickman
As I was sitting at home on our back patio this weekend it came to mind about the first Passover. Passover begins next Wednesday and it is a Jewish tradition that began thousands of years ago when the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt.
Need a refresher of the Passover and Exodus story? Click here to watch a short video from the Bible Project. The Passover story begins around 4:12.
Back to my back patio...As I sat quietly thinking about what our new "normal" is now, it was hard to think that the world was in chaos around us as the sun was shining and the birds were singing. I kept praying, "please let this pass over my loved ones near and far." And then it came to me what the first Passover must have been like.
After seeing nine horrific plagues, the Hebrews were told to take shelter in their homes on the night of Passover. To wait the night out as death literally passed over them.
I started to think about how I have never been able to truly relate to that story, until this very moment in time. Sitting quietly in their homes around the table, praying. They must have been afraid and anxious. The waiting must have felt like days. An eternity.
But they were sitting still, waiting on God's promise to free them from slavery. In that moment, He had their full attention. They came before Him on their knees. Waiting. Praying. Sitting still.
I think that's how I'm feeling right now. He surely has my full attention. Waiting. Praying. Sitting still.
If you keep reading after Exodus chapter 13, the Israelites come to the Red Sea and God protects them from the Egyptians who are in pursuit of them. In chapter 15, Moses and the Israelites sing a song to the Lord and as I read it this morning, a verse popped out at me and reminded me of Kellie's video reflection yesterday.
2 The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. (NIV)
In all of their waiting and praying and sitting still, He was their source of strength and their refuge. He was their safe place.
Last night, our small group from church met (on Zoom) and we did a Lectio Divina on Psalm 91:1-2. It was exactly what I needed yesterday. A reminder of where my trust should be. Where my strength should be found. And in whom I should rest and be still in.
I'd like to leave you with this today to sit in and reflect on, from Psalm 91:
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (NIV)
