The Lord led the Israelites out of
Egypt like a triumphant army. They were free from slavery and free
from the Egyptians. They must have felt so relieved. But then God
did a strange thing. He took a detour towards the Promised Land. He
didn't lead them straight towards it. Now why did He do that?
Scripture tells us the reason:
"God did not lead them on the road
that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the
shortest way from Egypt to the Promised Land. God said, "If the
people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and
return to Egypt." Exodus 13:17
And it would most probably have
happened if they went straight ahead. The Israelites have never
been in a battle before this and they would most probably have had
the fright of their lives and returned to the enemy they knew
(Egypt) than the enemy they didn't know (the Philistines). God knew
this and led them around the Philistine country. He knew they would
be ready to face them later with His help, but the time was just
not right now.
Sometimes in our lives God leads us
on detours on the way to our 'Promised Land', because He knows of
all the obstacles in the way if we were to go straight ahead. He
knows the safest and the best route. We don't and if we feel
ourselves being led on detours we shouldn't complain, but we should
follow with a happy heart that God knows best. He won't delay our
journey unnecessarily, He will have good reasons that we need to
trust.
All we need to do is look to Jesus
and His Word, just like the Israelites did. God led them with a
pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of cloud by night and they
looked up to it and followed it. God never left them on their
own:
"And the Lord did not remove the
pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight." Exodus
13:22
And God will not remove His
guidance from your sight either. Just keep on looking up. He is
faithful and true and He will lead you forward step by step. Who
knows maybe you will also see mighty miracles along the way, just
like the Israelites did with the wonderful parting of the Red
Sea!
Father God, we want to keep You
forever in our sight. We want to follow You even if it doesn't seem
logical to our human minds, as we know that You are mighty and You
know best. Thank you Lord. Amen