The Long Way

This morning as I was reading during my Bible, I came across this passage:

"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and return to Egypt: But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt." (Exodus 13:17-18)

I read over it, then paused, and sat in the presence of the Lord pondering on this: the Lord intentionally led His people the long way to the Promised Land. "...God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near...but God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness..." Say what? God purposely led His people through the LONG way? This made me think hard on my life and the long journey God seems to be taking me on. 

So far, in my (almost) 33 years of life, God has led me through a lot. The things He is constantly teaching me not just through the difficulties of living life, but also through the perfectness of His Word, are without number. However, one theme that seems to be recurring is the theme of TRUST. Trusting God with the unknown has been one of the biggest challenge of my life (so far). After reading those two verses I find myself wondering what was going through the minds of the people. What did they think? Did they know that God was taking them the long way to the Promise Land? Or where they just so relieved that they were no longer in bondage to the Egyptians that they just marched on with joy in their hearts, trusting that the God who heard their cries would guide them in the way that they should go? What did they do? Well, they trusted God and marched on. 

It's easy for me to read that passage in the Bible and think, "Yeah, sure. It's easy to trust God because I know the end of that story." But I don't know the end of my story - or anyone else's for that matter. I have no idea what tomorrow holds. Yeah sure, I know what I have planned, but God is directing my steps (Proverbs 16:9), and if He is directing my steps, then I have no idea what's truly going to take place. That kinda scares me. The unknown of what might happen or what might not happen. Scares the tar out of me at times. However, even in those unknowns, I can trust Him. In fact, I must trust Him. The same God that led His people the long way through the wilderness, is the same God that is leading me through my own wilderness. While I know not what will take place, whether that be fire, flood, hail or storm, I can trust Him because He is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9; 2 Timothy 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:3).

The Hebrews didn't know the way, but they knew Yahweh. I don't know what's going to take place, but I know the One who makes His way straight before my face (Psalm 5:8) and with that, I can march on.

What about you? Have you been led through the wilderness?