Today’s Daily Bread ~ The Long Way

Exodus 13:17-18 – When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through 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.

I have the worst sense of direction in the world.  I wish I was exaggerating, but I can present you with a list of people that will not only agree with that statement, but probably tell you that I’m making myself look good.  “In the world?” I can hear it now, “More like the universe!”

After 8 years together, my husband still has to tell me how to get to his office.  In high school, my friend Kelley would look at me in amazement as I asked her for the umpteenth time how to get to a house that was a party-destination every other weekend.  After college, my friend Michelle stopped asking me if I remembered how to get to her apartment, instead just volunteering the directions.  A cell phone was the world’s greatest invention to me – not so much so I could make calls anytime, anyplace; so I could stop writing out directions and just call on my way.  When the GPS system came out, we considered it a necessity, rather than a luxury, and I haven’t needed my inner compass since.

We have a spiritual GPS, too, but it’s not the Tom-Tom.  And God’s Positioning System does not typically take us the fastest or easiest route.

You don’t need a church background or even a Christian upbringing to know the story of the parting of the Red Sea.  Moses leads the Israelites out of Egypt.  When the Egyptians give chase, God opens up the sea, allowing them to pass.  When the army try to follow, the sea crashes in on them.  Without taking an ounce away from the miracle itself, I want to focus on the journey.

I wonder what it must’ve been like to be one of the Israelites.  Most scholars and commentators estimate between 4 and 6 million people took part in the Exodus.  To give you an idea of what that must’ve looked like, imagine calling together almost the entire Dallas/Fort Worth area, and announcing that we’re all going to walk to Oklahoma.  Not only that, but we won’t be taking I 35…or even a road.

Exodus 14:1-3 – Then the LORD gave these instructions to Moses: “Tell the people to march toward Pi-hahiroth between Migdol and the sea.  Camp there along the shore, opposite Baal-zephon.  Then Pharaoh will think, “Those Israelites are confused.  They are trapped between the wilderness and the sea!”

How many times in your life have you looked at your circumstances and found them to be hopeless?  How many times has your path appeared to hit a dead end, with wilderness on one side and the Red Sea on the other?  I would like to suggest to you that when this happens, you are in a prime position to witness God’s glory. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 – “My thoughts are completely different than yours,” says the LORD, “and my ways are far beyond anything you can imagine.  For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

God loves you with a love you can’t even begin to fathom, and He will do whatever it takes to get your attention.  He will take you through the darkest valley, that you might see His light.  He will let loneliness overcome you, that you might seek His Presence.  He will let the storms come, that you might seek shelter in Him.  He will take you the long and winding road, both to strengthen you and to show you that He is with you.  If we never stumble, will we ever reach for His hand to steady us?  And remember this – the shortest route may only make sense if you’re looking at a map.  He knows what we don’t know.  He sees what we don’t see.

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them on the road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that way 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.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the miracle of the Red Sea, and for taking the Israelites the long way around.  Something that made no sense to them at the time is still marveled over today.  Help us to trust You when we hit those dead ends.  Change our hearts and our minds, and train us to look up with a spirit of eager anticipation, knowing that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness.  For what is impossible for us is easy for You, Lord.  Multiply our faith exponentially, and give us patience, remembering that You do not work on our timetable, and that Your timing is perfect.  We love You, God, help us to love You more.  Help us to stay faithful to You during trying times.  Help us to remember to thank You when we’re sailing in calm water.  Help us to seek Your direction in everything we do.  We pray these things in the beautiful, precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.