Devotional
Be Ready Like the Israelites: Sleep in Travel Clothes for God’s Sudden Move
“In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD'S Passover” (Exodus 12:11).
Feb 20, 2026By Paulson Pulikottil
If you are planning an early-morning trip with small children, it is wise to have them sleep in their travel clothes (except shoes). They might still be groggy in the early hours, and getting them dressed could be challenging, potentially causing you to miss your flight. Even if you're not travelling with children, it's always a clever idea to go to bed prepared for the trip, ensuring you have essentials like your passport and credit card.
The Israelites had been in Egypt for 430 years—that is an incredibly long time. However, finally, the moment of their deliverance arrived. God instructed them to sacrifice the Passover lamb and mark their doorposts with its blood, ensuring the angel of death would pass over them. That night marked their liberation from Egypt, a journey that began with preparation and readiness, much like our trips.
The first Passover was a celebration of their holy expectation. They had to be ready mentally and physically for God's deliverance that night. So, they had to be dressed up for the long journey to the promised land with walking gear (sandals and staff) as they ate the roasted Passover lamb with unleavened bread. The unleavened bread also signifies urgency, since there was no time to let the dough rise overnight.
God expects his people to live in hope, trusting him to intervene even in our mundane routines. God will act in his own time, but we should always be ready for his act.
The Lord will come unannounced, like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2). He wants every generation to live in that hope. Let us not be caught unaware.