When our oldest son was married in Nashville, a record snowfall hit the entire southeast section of the U.S. Although barely keeping ahead of the snow, we did drive our normal straight western route, from Columbia to Nashville (point A to point B). However, three days later, Interstate 40 was closed due to icy roads in the mountains. For our trip back to Columbia, we had to drive further west then south before heading back east. This alternate route added over two hundred miles and several hours to our return home. The return trip was point A to point B but via point C.
God’s plan for our lives is sometimes like a road trip, with detours and alternate routes. Our journey in God’s will does not always take us directly from point A to point B. When the children of Israel departed Egypt, a well-traveled road led directly to the land of Canaan. Taking this route would have brought Moses and the people to Canaan in three days. Instead, when Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them along the road to the land of the Philistines, even though it was nearby. . . He led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness (Exodus 13:17-18). Rather than going the shortest and most direct route, the LORD took them in the opposite direction.
Moses also tells us why God led them this way. God said, “The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war” (Exodus 13:17). The LORD also had other reasons for taking Israel by this route. First, He burned their bridges. After the waters of the Red Sea closed, there was no way back to Egypt. Second, God destroyed Israel’s enemies. The waters had divided, giving Israel safe passage on dry ground. I guess Pharaoh thought if it worked for Israel, it will work for us, so the Egyptians set out in pursuit—all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen—and went into the sea after them. But Moses stretched out his hand, the water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen– the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived (Ex 14:27-28).
Third, the LORD manifested His greatness and glory to Israel. And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant (Exodus 14:31). A final reason for God leading them this way was so they could go to Mt. Sinai. Here again, they witnessed the LORD’s glory. Yet, the main purpose was to receive the Torah which taught them who God was, how to serve Him, and how to live with each other. None of this would have happened if they had gone directly to Canaan. God’s will for Israel was —leave Egypt (point A) and go to Canaan (point B), but via Mt. Sinai (point C).
We may not know God’s ultimate purpose or why He is taking us in a particular direction. But, we must give the Holy Spirit the freedom of leading us via His route. In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps (Prov. 16:9). Paul planned on going into the province of Asia and Bithynia. Yet, both times he tried, the Holy Spirit prevented them from entering. God wanted Paul and his team to go to Macedonia. Peter would later go and evangelize Asia and Bithynia. God could see the big picture.
We live in a microwave-age of instant everything. However, God’s journey for our lives does not work this way. I have travelled so much in the last thirty years that now, when I do travel, I find the quickest, and most direct way of getting where I’m going. Yet, I’ve been reminded again in the past year, God still has reasons for detours and alternate routes even though I don’t know why—He does. A man’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way? (Prov. 20:24) The most important part is not when or how we get there, but trusting the Holy Spirit with our journey so He can accomplish His purpose for us.
Sustaining Word for the Week:
We are all on a journey, but you may be anxious that God is not taking you the way you planned. Maybe God is destroying your enemies, showing you His glory, or teaching you something. God will get you from point A to point B, even though there may be some C’s and even D alternate routes.