This week is Passover so I was just re-reading the story of the original Passover in Exodus, chapters 11-13. At the end of the last chapter I smiled as I read these verses:

“It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn’t lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, “If the people encounter war, they’ll change their minds and go back to Egypt. So God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea.” Exodus 13:17-18

After the final plague caused Pharoah to let the Israelites leave slavery in Egypt, God led them to the Red Sea. But on the way to the sea there were two different routes He could have chosen to take them. A shorter route and a longer route. To us, the shorter route always seems to be the most logical, doesn’t it? But God, in His wisdom, sent them the long way. It was for their own good but they didn’t know that at the time.

When the Road Seems Long
As it says in the verses above, the shorter route would have led the Israelites by the Philistines where there could have been a war. God knew that if that happened, the Israelites would, out of fear, run right back to slavery. That’s the exact opposite of what He wanted for them. So He decided to take them the longer way which was a safer route.

Have you ever felt like God was taking you the long way?

You feel like you’ve been waiting forever on a prophecy or promise to come to fruition. Or for freedom from a stronghold. Or for your prayers for another person to be answered. After a while it’s easy to start questioning God, wondering if He cares or if He’s even listening to you. But…

When You’re in the Wilderness Just Keep Trusting God
In the Bible the wilderness is usually a place of testing and refinement. Christians often refer to their own “wilderness experiences” as times when they wondered if God really still cared or existed. We read that the Israelites:

“…moved on from Succoth and then camped at Etham at the edge of the wilderness. God went ahead of them in a Pillar of Cloud during the day to guide them on the way, and at night in a Pillar of Fire to give them light; thus they could travel both day and night. The Pillar of Cloud by day and the Pillar of Fire by night never left the people.” Exodus 13:20-22

Whether you are on the edge of the wilderness or right in the middle of the high brush…or if you’re on the longer route rather than the straight shot to deliverance…remember that God is with you. He’s leading you. He’s watching over you. He’s protecting you. He’s doing miracles in your midst. Whether you feel Him there or not. When you see Him and when your sight fails you. He’s there.

If He’s taking you the long way He’s doing it out of wisdom, not to torment you.

Maybe there is danger in the shorter route, or you just need the extra time on the road to understand what He’s teaching you or for Him to prepare you for what He’s leading you into. But He’s there…so just keep going. Because He’s trustworthy. His character precedes Him.