It’s almost the weekend, friends! Any big plans? Anything happening today to ease you into those weekend vibes?
Recently, I received an email from my San Antonio friend Tonya that got my weekend off to a great start!
Tonya commented that something I’d posted reminded her of Dayenu. She was kind enough to include a link for reference so that I could figure out what she was talking about. I had no idea what Dayenu was or what it meant.
Let me tell you – I’m glad I looked into it. And let me tell you why.
Dayenu is a Hebrew word that translates “it would have been enough.” It’s also a lively, celebratory song included during the observance of Passover. The song is 15 stanzas long and is divided into three groups of five stanzas each. The first five stanzas highlight the works of God that led to Israel’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt. The second five stanzas list some of God’s miracles in Israel’s rescue and journey to the Promised Land. The final set of stanzas focuses on the blessings bestowed on the Israelites as God’s chosen people.
Each stanza is followed by “Dayenu!” – “It would have been enough.” But the next stanza adds one more gift from God…and one more…and one more…
Dayenu may be a good exercise for all of us as we reflect on hard stretches of our lives and how God showed up for us in ways too numerous to count.
As I considered the myriad of scenarios in my life where the Lord had gone above and beyond, I thought about the birth of our younger son and how God cared for him and for us following his diagnosis with a congenital heart defect. Here’s my Dayenu…
If God had only let him be born full-term and not premature,
it would have been enough.
If God had only allowed the nurses to quickly identify that there was a problem,
it would have been enough.
If God had only provided an amazing cardiologist to evaluate him and help determine a plan of care,
it would have been enough.
If God had only surrounded us with loving, supportive community,
it would have been enough.
If God had only led us to a world-class surgeon,
it would have been enough.
If God had only provided the transportation to and lodging in a faraway city,
it would have been enough.
If God had only sustained us by the prayers of the saints,
it would have been enough.
If God had only gone ahead of us and raised up His church – even far from home –
to care for us,
it would have been enough.
If God had only used the surgeon’s skills to repair our baby’s defects,
it would have been enough.
If God had only given our boy a seamless recovery,
it would have been enough.
If God had only allowed us to bring that baby home to his waiting big brother, grandparents, family, church family and friends,
it would have been enough.
If God had only blessed that baby with a healthy, normal childhood,
it would have been enough.
If God had only grown that child into a smart, compassionate young man,
it would have been enough.
If God had only brought him together with a precious, wonderful bride,
it would have been enough.
If God had only grown that beloved baby boy into a loving husband and father,
it would have been enough.
Grace upon grace, each gift given by God was more than enough!
What’s your Dayenu? Before you get too far into your weekend, take a moment to reflect on a time where it would have been enough but the Lord was extra gracious to you.
*****
Gracious Father, it would have been enough if You had only saved me. You gave Your one and only Son so that I might be with You forever! But You didn’t stop there. Good God that you are, You’ve given me everything I need for this life and for the power to reflect Your beautiful character. You delight to provide me with everything that brings me joy, and when I’m in need of godly counsel, Your wisdom is mine for the asking. I praise You, my generous God Who has done for me exceeding abundantly more than I could ask or imagine! It would have been enough if You had only saved me, but You’ve chosen to call me Your child and to lavish me with Your love. Thank You, Father, in the beautiful Name of Jesus. Amen. (John 3:16, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 Timothy 6:17, James 1:5, Ephesians 3:20, 1 John 3:1)
*****
Thank you for joining in this week’s Scripture memory challenge as we commit to our hearts and minds Psalm 100. This week’s passage is Psalm 100:1-2.
“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!” - Psalm 100:1-2 (ESV)
