A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 174). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
I’m sure glad He is in my life.
Christine says, “He knows the road closures and the accidents blocking the way. So he reroutes us the way he knows is best for us. Instead of letting us take a misguided shortcut, he leads us little by little, step by step, the long way around.
“When God first led the children of Israel out of Egypt, he knew the route that would best prepare them to live and thrive in the Promised Land—and it wasn’t a shortcut: ‘When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.” ’ Exodus 13:17–18, emphasis added.”
She goes on, “Rather than leading them on an established trade route— that was hundreds of miles shorter than the one they took around to the Red Sea—God led the children of Israel on the long desert road. He knew the Philistines were an aggressive people, and that if the Israelites were attacked, they might turn back. God knew they still had a slave mentality—not a warrior mentality. For centuries, they had been workers and builders. They had never learned how to fight, so they weren’t ready for combat. Before they could conquer and possess the Promised Land, they had to become warriors. God had to renew their minds to think like military generals and soldiers. Until he could do that, he kept them from facing enemies and war. God knew the long way around was for their good—just like it’s always for our good too.”
Sometimes the long way around is also good for you and me. You see don’t you, that is where trust, patience, and faith in God come in?
Yes, yes!
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