Exodus 13:8-9: “You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ And it shall be to you as a sign on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth. For with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt.”
The Feast of Unleavened Bread marked the Hebrews as followers of God and is initiated by the celebration of Passover. It was a symbol of their defining moment. It was to serve as a remembrance of the day they came out of Egypt, out of slavery. It was to help them remember God leading them through the departure of that momentous day in the history of their generation. The imagery that they wore (later had leather prayer boxes strapped on the left arm and the forehead) was to be a constant reminder of how God provided their deliverance, rescue, and provision. Their conduct was to be that they could recall at any time what God’s law demanded of them – to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and mind, and to teach that to their children (Deut. 6:4-9).
I have been reflecting on what has been my “defining moments” in my life in following God. I would say, after going through several trials right in succession of each other a few years ago, God gave me Psalm 119:92: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” That verse popped out at me (I call it a “zing”) while reading this particular chapter during that hard and challenging time in our life and I knew – this is it! God’s precious promises of truth kept me keeping on keeping on one day at a time. I look back at that time now, and it is merely a memory. But oh the precious verses of Scripture God illuminated in my heart and mind as I dug deep into His word in leaning totally on Him to find lasting sustenance. He spoke clearly to me in this verse to help me understand I needed to rely solely on Him and not anything or anyone else. It was a defining moment. My prayer became: “Teach me Your word during this season of my life like I have never known it before, and make this verse my testimony when I emerge from this place.”
When you follow someone, it means you walk or drive on the same road behind them. You don’t let or want anyone else to come between the two of you blocking your view. Your leader is ahead of you, leading you, so you end up at the appointed destination together. The same is true in following God. He directs and guides us when we have complete obedience and open communication with Him. That is how we will hear His voice speaking to us through His word into our circumstances in life. Then we will have our defining moments bound in His loving care. We are sheep following our shepherd on the same road He is on, leading us ahead of our destination.
What defining moments have you had in your life? What verses have God opened up your eyes to see as never before during a time of needing to be delivered, rescued, and see God’s provision? You too can say “This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of _______ (Exodus 13:8b).” Share your story – your defining moment(s) in your life with Christ. Don’t let it go to waste.
Listen to MercyMe – Grace Got You (Official Lyric Video)
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