As I did my daily Bible reading, I discovered something interesting.
I read through the Bible in a year, every year, and it’s always fascinating how different parts of it come to life at different times. I love how the mysteries of God reveal themselves through something you’ve read multiple times.
The Word of God is alive.
Today while reading from Exodus, I was struck by this portion.
When Pharoah finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So, God led them in a round about way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus, the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle. Exodus 13:17-18
God led them toward their Promised Land in a round about way. He did that for a purpose, as He stated. It was so they wouldn’t turn around at the first sign of trouble or difficulty.
We would all do well to remember this. The road of the Lord isn’t always straight. Sometimes it’s windy, but narrow.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Life isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey.” Well, I believe that’s partly true. I mean, it’s ALL about the destination when you consider Heaven as our final destination. But as far as our destinations on earth, it’s true that we grow character and are transformed during our journeys. In that light, it is ALL about the journey.
As you know, our family has been on this exact type of round about journey toward our Promised Land. Many times, it’s felt very confusing. I know it’s led some people to consider us liars because we are still, by all appearances, wandering around. But our family knows the secret…we’ve been in a huge transformation process and that has taken time. Lots of time. Lots of stripping away. Lots of things that appear as loss but are actually a cleaning out so we can be filled with other things.
It’s also true that at the beginning of this journey if we’d had an option to “go back”, we may have wanted to…but God made our break away from things He didn’t desire for us, very final. And for that I’m so grateful.
At this point, I don’t fear the process anymore. Instead, I would fear staying in unhealthy places where God didn’t want us to be. There’s a big difference between being around an unhealthy situation as God uses you as an instrument of change, and being around that same situation when God has said, “This battle doesn’t belong to you.”
Read this now…
Then the Lord gave these instructions to Moses: “Order the Israelites to turn back and camp by Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea. Camp there along the shore, across from Baal-zephon. Then Pharoah will think, ‘The Israelites are confused. They are trapped in the wilderness! And once again I will harden Pharoah’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display My glory through Pharoah and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” So, the Israelites camped there as they were told. Exodus 14:1-4
Another purpose for leading His people in a roundabout, and seemingly confused way, was to leave a trap for the enemy. What a brilliant reason. What a magnificent plan. When we allow God to humble us and allow others to even misunderstand what He’s doing in and around us, He just might be leading the enemy of our souls into a trap.
We’ve also seen that happen for our family. Many of the ways the enemy used to torment and trouble us, no longer work. They don’t work anymore because we’ve had opportunity and need for Him to deliver us, over and over. Now we don’t fear those things. They’ve lost their power over us.
What a mighty God we serve!
Don’t fear your hours of humbling. Lean into them instead and watch the Lover of your soul make a sure and steady way for you. If you’ll just believe. If you’ll just trust.
You too will taste and see that the Lord is good!!
365 Days in the Presence 