You Are My King

Moses encountered God at a burning bush.  He worked through his misunderstandings, doubts, and fears by hearing God’s Word, talking to God in prayer, and discussing it all with others.  Then, he lived out his part of God’s plan, telling Pharaoh to let God’s people go.  Nine plagues and at least as many confrontations later, Pharaoh had still not set God’s people free.

Now the LORD had said to Moses, "I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely. (Exodus 11:1 NIV)

Moses needed to walk through this pattern over and over again before The LORD’s plan was complete.  Even when Pharaoh set God’s people free, he changed his mind and came after them.  Even when Moses and the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and left Pharaoh behind, they needed food and water in the wilderness.  Even when they had food and water, they needed leadership, a justice system, and God’s specific direction for their lives.

While the Israelites were still in the land of Egypt, the LORD gave the following instructions to Moses and Aaron: "From now on, this month will be the first month of the year for you. Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice, one animal for each household. (Exodus 12:1-3 NLT)

That is why the Passover was established for Israel.  The Israelites needed to Encounter God, Make It Real, and Live It Out just like Moses did.  They needed to repeat this pattern over and over again to hear God, trust God, and take another step with God.  They needed reminders that The LORD had set them free, The LORD fed them, The LORD protected them, and The LORD led them to the land promised to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob).  They needed to remember that The LORD is their King.

All the Egyptians urged the people of Israel to get out of the land as quickly as possible, for they thought, "We will all die!" The Israelites took their bread dough before yeast was added. They wrapped their kneading boards in their cloaks and carried them on their shoulders. And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The LORD caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth! That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men, plus all the women and children. (Ex. 12:33-37 NLT)

How about you?  Do you regularly Encounter God, Make It Real, and Live It Out?  Do you have reminders built into your days, weeks, months, and years that The LORD is our King?  Do you live a life that says to God, “You are my King.”?