"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; for God said, "The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war." So He led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation." (Exodus 13:17, 18 HCSB)
It seems as though most every "shortcut" I have taken wound up costing me more time--and fuel. Shortcuts aren't all they are cracked up to be!
The fact is, there are no shortcuts on the pilgrim pathway we are called to travel. Our progress toward the Celestial City above is filled with twists and turns--steep, rough, narrow; sometimes descending into dark valleys, traversing raging floods, pitfalls where we could stumble and foes ready to pounce on us. It is--to borrow from the Beatles, "The Long and Winding Road."
Israel found this out soon enough. When they left Egypt, bound for the Promised Land, they must have felt like they were walking on air--the heavy chains of slavery left behind. "A 'hop, skip and a jump' and we'll be in that land flowing with milk and honey," they must have thought. Yet, it would be forty years before they would finally reach their destination. While, it is certain, God didn't intend for them to be wandering in the wilderness that long, He did direct them there for a little season of development of their faith, which, regrettably, became a lifespan of discipline for their unbelief.
There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity. There is no magic pill we can take to grow up overnight. We can't climb on a rocket, we must plod step by step.
Israel was led by God to a detour, dead end and dry hole!
There was a virtual interstate highway that ran out of Egypt and into Canaan, right up the Gaza Strip. But, there was a problem. It would run head on into Philistine territory--those stubborn people who would become Israel's intransigent enemy. God was building an army, but they weren't ready for a fight like that! They hadn't gone to basic training! So God took them on a detour. It was their spiritual bootcamp!
"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; for God said, "The people will change their minds and return to Egypt if they face war." So He led the people around toward the Red Sea along the road of the wilderness. And the Israelites left the land of Egypt in battle formation." (Exodus 13:17, 18 HCSB)
Honestly, detours are no fun. I am not a patient man. When I go on a trip, I want to get there as soon as possible. I don't even like to stop for gas, or other necessities, because then people are passing me! It may be though, that the detour that irritated me, prevented me from being in a wreck down the road. Can we learn to wait on the Lord--to trust Him and be patient? The recipe for a saint doesn't call for a microwave, but a crock pot!
God leads us on detours--and, strange as it may seem even to dead ends! That's where God brought His people:
" 'Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you must camp in front of Baal-zephon, facing it by the sea. Pharaoh will say of the Israelites: They are wandering around the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in. I will harden Pharaoh's heart so that he will pursue them. Then I will receive glory by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am Yahweh.' So the Israelites did this." (Exodus 14:2-4 HCSB)
There is nothing like turning down a road and reading a sign, "No Thru Street"! Israel was caught between the devil and the deep Red Sea. God had led them into a dead end and Pharaoh's army was coming to make them dead and bring their freedom to an end!
But, it is when we reach the end of our natural ability that we experience God's supernatural activity! The Lord would accomplish two things that day---a victory for His people, in opening up a way when there seemed to be no way, and a defeat for their enemy, in collapsing the wall of water on Pharaoh's army--all for His glory! The cries of fear would give way to celebrations of faith!
Maybe you feel like you are in a dead-end relationship, job or some other barrier you've hit. Meanwhile, Satan is breathing down your neck! Get ready--God is going to teach you something. You may soon see a deliverance that will be a turning point in your life! The One who brings us to it, will bring us through it!
God led His people not only on a detour and a dead end, but to a dry hole!
"Then Moses led Israel on from the Red Sea, and they went out to the Wilderness of Shur. They journeyed for three days in the wilderness without finding water. They came to Marah, but they could not drink the water at Marah because it was bitter-that is why it was named Marah. The people grumbled to Moses, 'What are we going to drink?' " (Exodus 15:22-24 HCSB)
We often think that if we are experiencing adversity, we must be out of God's will. That can happen. But, it may be that we are exactly where God has led us--where He wants us. He does it to test us. Will we trust Him?
"So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he threw it into the water, the water became drinkable.
He made a statute and ordinance for them at Marah and He tested them there. He said, 'If you will carefully obey the Lord your God, do what is right in His eyes, pay attention to His commands, and keep all His statutes, I will not inflict any illnesses on you that I inflicted on the Egyptians. For I am Yahweh who heals you.'
Then they came to Elim, where there were 12 springs of water and 70 date palms, and they camped there by the waters." (Exodus 15:25-27 HCSB)
There was an oasis just a bit further down the road! Not only springs, but shade; not only drinks to quench thirst, but dates to satisfy hunger! We want to give up, gripe on and go back when we face difficulty. It was a constant pattern for Israel. It would eventually cost that generation an opportunity to reach the abundant life God desired for them. Don't let shortages of resources cause you a shortage of faith.
Spiritual dry times will come by God's design. Keep walking, keep thirsting--and when you are desperate enough, God will lead you to wells of blessing!
" 'For I know the plans I have for you'-[this is] the Lord's declaration-'plans for [your] welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.' " (Jeremiah 29:11-13 HCSB)
This is the way we must go.
There are no shortcuts.
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