Exodus 13:17-18 NIV
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So, God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.
WHEN GOD TAKES THE LONG ROAD
J. D. Walt
https://seedbed.com/so-god-led-the-people-around-by-the-desert-road-when-god-takes-the-long-road/
God knew. He knew what they could handle and what they could not handle. God knew the mileage differential between the two routes. He knew the soldier count in the Philistine armies, and he knew what the Israelite body count would be on the other side of a battle. He knew they would be ready to turn around and go back to Egypt, settle back into their slavish existence, and count it all as a bad dream. God chose not to give them more than he knew they could handle.
We can trust God. He engineers our circumstances beyond our knowing. Often, it will not make sense to us at the time. At times, it will seem like the worst possible thing has happened, that we have gone from bad to worse, from lost to hopeless. Our prayers will seem to bounce off the ceiling. God has a higher plan, a better plan, with endless contingencies, and everything can ultimately be worked together for our good and God’s glory. Keep on trusting. Cloud by day. Fire by night. Never give up. Death on Friday. Resurrection on Sunday. Though I feel lost and in the valley of the shadow of death, yet I will trust him.
Lord Jesus, you are my Deliverer.
I receive the deliverance of your exodus. You are my Passover—the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world—the Lamb of God who conquered death.
Even still, I confess I wonder at your ways, and I second-guess your plans. The better way seems so clear to me, yet I know your ways are higher and better than mine. You see the end from the beginning. You see the things that are not as though they were. I am so tempted by the shorter route and the easier way. Teach me to trust the long road and to know you will not give me more than I can bear.
Prepare my heart, mind, soul, and strength for the deliverance that comes with exodus. Now let it be as you decree—for my good, for others’ gain, and for your glory.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end, amen!
Amen!
Praise the Lord
https://youtu.be/6iYC55-469U?si=HX3QbzUGdPFRI1eo
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).
