Joanne Sher: Editor/Proofreader : Living Dayenu

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20 NIV

Tomorrow is the last day of Passover (more details in my last post if you're interested), and as I was looking and thinking back through the traditions of this Jewish holiday, one particular song - a true Passover staple - came to mind.

Sung during the Passover seder, Dayenu isn't just a song, I realized this past week. It's a philosophy - a way of thinking.

First, though, I want to start with a pronunciation guide - and a definition. Dayenu means "it would have been enough" - or "it would have been sufficient." And how do you say the word? (dyeYAYnew)

This is a song of thanksgiving to the Lord for the many things He did for the Israelites. The lyrics (those at the link are in English - it's generally sung in Hebrew) list fifteen different ways that the Lord blessed his people during their departure from Egypt and following. And after every verse, the refrain - Dayenu - is sung.
Even if the Lord had only done one thing for His people, He would still be worthy of praise.

If He had brought us out from Egypt, and had not carried out judgments against them... Dayenu.
If He had carried out judgments against them, and not against their idols... Dayenu.
If He had destroyed their idols, and had not smitten their first-born... Dayenu

Dayenu. It would have been enough.

How much better would my life be if I lived by this mantra? How often do I get caught in the cycle of discontent, of complaining and grumbling about what the Lord has not done for me?

Sure, He saved me, gave me a wonderful family, and a cozy house to live in, but why couldn't He have not let the icemaker in the freezer break? I love my son, but why couldn't God have made him more obedient/social/calm/fill-in-the-blank?

He gives us so many blessings, and yet all we do is look for more. Our God is gracious and loving - and if all He had done was save us from our sins, it would have been enough.

Dayenu - Amen?

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Are you living a life of Dayenu? We're discussing this here, and at Living by Grace on Facebook. Won't you join us?