When I have several errands to do in a single day, I plan my route to make the most efficient use of my time. Does anyone else do that or is it just this Type A, organizational, administrative humanoid who does that?
Have you ever felt like God has taken you, or is taking you now, the longest route from Point A (your need) to Point B (His promise)? We always say, “In God’s timing.” True, it is God’s timing; but God also has a plan and a purpose for our life.
Exodus 13:17-18 – “God did not lead them on the road that runs through the 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. So God led them along a route through the wilderness toward the Red Sea, and the Israelites left Egypt like a marching army.”
So, what is the route God is leading me on, you on, from my need to His promise? What is there along the road that is causing me to think it is better in Egypt?
First, it is always a route of faith, on which God’s promise becomes more real to us than the circumstance or need! A footnote in my bible says, “Preparing ourselves for the fulfillment of God’s promises, however unlikely they may seem, demonstrates our faith.”
Could it be a route of setting aside selfish ambition? (Matt. 16:24) Is that plan my plan or God’s plan, and who will get the credit?
It is a route of commitment, of no return, of no other options, of following and serving God only! When the going gets tough, the tough are not to run back to Egypt! Since retiring from my job at NSEA 3 1/2 years ago,I have looked back. I've looked back at the salary I would be receiving right now if I were still there, at all the paid perks, at the travel, etc. But every time I look back, God speaks gently to my heart and says, “Don’t look back at Egypt.”
Could it be a route of refining character? A route of submitting to God’s will for my life? A route of trusting God only? Whatever the route, God is walking the route with me/us.
“The Lord guided them by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night. That way they could travel whether it was day or night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from their sight.” (Exodus 13:21-22)
God has not changed His commitment to us. He is with us 24/7. He is always there to guide . . . will we follow? He is always there to give us light . . . will we see?
3 comments:
God always has a reason for the path He takes us down. I am coming to believe the path we are on is the one that allows us to choose to change into his likeness the most. Changing usually involves repentance on our part from old ideas and ways of thinking, but always leaves life and joy in place of what caused death and sorrow. When things are taking longer then they seem they should I find myself asking what kind of mentality or actions do I need to turn from. (I've seen things speed up dramatically in my own life when I find it.) God doesn't change. He expects us to and He will leave us on the path of change for as long as it takes.
Amen!
Amen to Arlene and Crystal! The rest of Exodus sure tells the story of having to repent to get on the right path!!
What stricks me is that what we think is the right way is usually what we see as the shortest path and God saw a battle ahead of them that would have turned them right back into slavery---which would have been an even longer route than the 40 years----so He really did take them the shortest route, they just couldn't see it. And then He used it all for their own good by teaching them so much along the way!!!
Post a Comment