Exodus 13:17-18 (NIV)
17 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.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.
I read these two verses and they began to speak to me instantly. Many things started running through my mind and I couldn't help but smile while reflecting on previous life challenges and the great length that God goes to pursue his children, set them free, and lead them to the land that He called and created for them to inhabit.
The Lord sent plague after plague until he loosened the chains chink by chink that kept the Israelites in slavery and bondage. I don't previously remember reading the part of this passage about God intentionally not leading them through Philistine country even though it was shorter. I couldn't help but think about all the times I wanted or tried to take the "shorter road" in my life. Patience is something He continues to teach me and it is an area I am still improving in.
Overtime He is teaching me that: 1) The right thing at the wrong time still isn't right; 2) His favor and blessing come in conjunction with His will and timing.
I began to ask myself, “What if the Israelites got so caught up in their new found blessing of freedom that they rushed to the land as fast as they could, despite God's clear desire for them to take the longer route?” I believe they would have ended up right back in another battle and would have to "face war", as God mentioned in the next sentence. When I first read it, I initially thought of them going back into bondage but as I read it again and continued to think about it, I believe it was about much more than just going back into the bondage of their past. I believe it was more about them missing out on God's calling and plans for them in the future! The enemy will always try to hold us in our past because as long as we are looking back, we can’t look forward to see where God wants us to go.
The devil doesn't have to steal our future; he can accomplish the same thing by convincing us to stare at our past. The enemy enslaved them and God led them to their freedom by the long route. Not because they needed more exercise, He led them down the long road because they needed more of Him! The road was not only long, but verse 18 says it was a "desert road". I don't know about you but the few times I've physically been on a desert road, one of the first things I did was start talking to Him. When all you can see is sand and dirt for miles and miles, there is not much to distract you and He is all you have to talk to. He quickly becomes all you have, and it doesn't take long to realize He is all you need. One of the beautiful things about serving an omniscient God is that He knows exactly what we need, where we are going, and the best way to get there! I absolutely love verse 21 and 22.
Exodus 13:21-22 (NIV)
21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
He "went ahead of them"! He never left them alone and He was always there to protect them. He was “in front of” them! He led them with a pillar of cloud to guide them and shield them from the heat of the day, and He led them with a pillar of fire to shine light and protect them from the darkness of night! He is an amazing and loving Father and knows exactly what we need today to prepare us for what He has in store for tomorrow.
Father,
Thank You for Your unfailing love! Thank You for going before us and lighting our way. Thank You for taking the time to walk with us down the long roads and giving us the attention we need when You could have easily and quickly dropped us off. We love You Dad! Amen.
17 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.” 18 So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.
I read these two verses and they began to speak to me instantly. Many things started running through my mind and I couldn't help but smile while reflecting on previous life challenges and the great length that God goes to pursue his children, set them free, and lead them to the land that He called and created for them to inhabit.
The Lord sent plague after plague until he loosened the chains chink by chink that kept the Israelites in slavery and bondage. I don't previously remember reading the part of this passage about God intentionally not leading them through Philistine country even though it was shorter. I couldn't help but think about all the times I wanted or tried to take the "shorter road" in my life. Patience is something He continues to teach me and it is an area I am still improving in.
Overtime He is teaching me that: 1) The right thing at the wrong time still isn't right; 2) His favor and blessing come in conjunction with His will and timing.
I began to ask myself, “What if the Israelites got so caught up in their new found blessing of freedom that they rushed to the land as fast as they could, despite God's clear desire for them to take the longer route?” I believe they would have ended up right back in another battle and would have to "face war", as God mentioned in the next sentence. When I first read it, I initially thought of them going back into bondage but as I read it again and continued to think about it, I believe it was about much more than just going back into the bondage of their past. I believe it was more about them missing out on God's calling and plans for them in the future! The enemy will always try to hold us in our past because as long as we are looking back, we can’t look forward to see where God wants us to go.
The devil doesn't have to steal our future; he can accomplish the same thing by convincing us to stare at our past. The enemy enslaved them and God led them to their freedom by the long route. Not because they needed more exercise, He led them down the long road because they needed more of Him! The road was not only long, but verse 18 says it was a "desert road". I don't know about you but the few times I've physically been on a desert road, one of the first things I did was start talking to Him. When all you can see is sand and dirt for miles and miles, there is not much to distract you and He is all you have to talk to. He quickly becomes all you have, and it doesn't take long to realize He is all you need. One of the beautiful things about serving an omniscient God is that He knows exactly what we need, where we are going, and the best way to get there! I absolutely love verse 21 and 22.
Exodus 13:21-22 (NIV)
21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
He "went ahead of them"! He never left them alone and He was always there to protect them. He was “in front of” them! He led them with a pillar of cloud to guide them and shield them from the heat of the day, and He led them with a pillar of fire to shine light and protect them from the darkness of night! He is an amazing and loving Father and knows exactly what we need today to prepare us for what He has in store for tomorrow.
Father,
Thank You for Your unfailing love! Thank You for going before us and lighting our way. Thank You for taking the time to walk with us down the long roads and giving us the attention we need when You could have easily and quickly dropped us off. We love You Dad! Amen.