Not the Easy Way Out

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. (Exodus 13:17-18, ESV)

Having a GPS on my cellphone is so helpful. I am seriously directionally challenged. I’m not sure how I navigated from Point A to Point B in my pre-cellphone days.

A GPS, or global positioning system, can really help us find the best route to a destination. There are usually several ways to reach any one location. Some routes are shorter, but road conditions may not be ideal. Another route may be longer but have less stoplights. Some highways become more congested during certain hours of the day. Sometimes the shortest route just isn’t the best choice because of various factors.

the long road

The children of Israel faced such a situation. Pharaoh had finally released them to leave Egypt, but God directed Moses to take a longer route through the wilderness. Why did God instruct Moses to take the less direct route, not the short way through Philistine territory? He knew the battles they might face on the shorter route would discourage them and cause them to return to Egypt. He was protecting them. What may seem like God’s indifference to our situation may really be our protection.

Sometimes we just don’t understand how God works. We go through a dark trial, but the way out seems difficult. What is God doing? Why does His way seem harder? Wasn’t there a shorter route He could have led us? We may never completely grasp how God works for our good.

when we don’t understand

A more significant question might be whether we can trust God even when we do not understand His plan.

• David was anointed to be king while still a youth, yet he did not advance to the throne of Israel until he was about 37 or 38 years old. Did he understand this long delay?
• Naomi’s family moved to Moab to escape a famine in Israel. There she lost her husband and both sons. She returned to her homeland a sad, bitter woman. Did she understand why God permitted so much trouble and grief?
• God instructed Hosea to marry Gomer, a prostitute. Although she later abandoned him, he found her and paid fifteen pieces of silver to buy her back. Did he question God’s path for his life? Did he understand?

Perhaps God has led you on a route through a wilderness. You may wonder why He allowed this difficult experience. Can you trust Him? Even if He never reveals why He placed you on this exact path? Even if it never seems logical to you? Then you remember the words of Isaiah 55:8 and 9 and realize His ways are so much higher than ours.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (ESV)

Trust God. He loves us and we are safe on the path He chooses for us.

pray proverbs 3:5

Personalize the words of Proverbs 3:5 and make it your prayer today. I will trust You Lord with all my heart, and I will not lean on my own understanding.

Devotion by Mary Loudermilk