So some 3500 years ago, on the night of the tenth plague which God uses to break Pharaoh's tyrannical hold on the Hebrew slaves' quality of life, God says, "this is the first day of the first year of you being a people - my people."
By freedom does not come with a fight. The first thing about this new day is the amount of blood and death. Each family is to kill a lamb for dinner, but not before they smear lamb blood all over their door post.
Second, they are to eat the entire lamb while dressed for departure- a hearty dinner in preparation for a hard journey ahead. The miracle God does is just the beginning of a long journey. It's a miracle, but not magic. They will not be transported to the promised land by a snap of finger. They will have to make the journey one step at a time.
And from this day forward, they will take one week every year to remember the night God rescues them from Egypt and makes them a people. Once a year. Every year. And they will tell their children and friends of the God who rescued them, the God who gave them a new beginning, a new life of freedom.
Write
Think about your faith story: take a moment to remember the first day of you life as a child of God? What were the circumstances that made you realize you needed God? How did God make his presence felt? Who helped you to invite Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
How do you need rescuing again today? What are the situations and relationships in your journey which you realize you still need God? How do you need God to help you experience him again?
Who do you know is needing God's rescue?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about the beginnings of your life as his child. Thank God for Jesus' sacrifice, and the way his Spirit has been with you on your journey.
Pray about your current struggles. Ask God for the help you need, the reassureance of his presence, and the courage to experience again his rescue.
Pray for your friend who needs rescue. Ask God to show you how you can come along side and support your friend..
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he is with you, and the way he continues to rescues you, and the way he helps others find rescue through you.