ARE WE THERE YET?

READING: EXODUS 13:17-22

Verse 17: “Then when it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, ‘Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’”

The Lord is so far ahead of us! He constantly provides for our needs by His infinitely excellent foresight and wisdom. Exodus 13 illustrates this fact as it describes the way in which God led the Israelites out of Egypt. He took them around the land of the Philistines to avoid battles that He knew would discourage them and keep them from their destination. On many occasions God still leads His people in their modern day lives, using the very same strategy. As He does so, their experience of what seems to them to be unnecessary indirectness, can be disappointing and even frustrating. These people know the Lord has promised to provide for their needs, and they want Him to do it promptly. At such times the problem of disappointment and frustration is theirs, not His. They have locked onto their own understanding and are failing to appreciate the divine qualities of His Lordship. As Exodus 13 demonstrates, when our loving Lord takes the long way around to get us somewhere, He has good reason for what He is doing. What seems to be the short and direct route may be just that, but it may be the short and direct route to disaster. The winding and circuitous way there, may be the only safe way there. That’s a thought – about God’s Word.

RESPONSE

1. Is there current “righteous indirectness” in your life?

2. What disaster might God be causing you to avoid?