Going the Long Way Around

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
~ Proverbs 3:5-6

We can all quote it, can't we? The difficulty comes in actually living it out. Most days we do alright. But there are those days when nothing seems to make any sense and we're not sure what God is up to. Where is He leading us? And why?

When Pharaoh finally relented and allowed the children of Israel to leave Egypt, God did something peculiar. The Bible says, "... God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near, for God said, 'Lest the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt.'
Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; ..."

Had they leaned on their own understanding, God's people would have probably taken the shorter route. Can't you just picture Moses and Aaron huddled over their maps. "This way looks shorter, Moses. I think we ought to cut through here. Look! It's a straight shot."
And had they done that, they would have found themselves caught-up in a war they were totally unprepared for. God knew that. So He led them the long way around.

The wilderness way was longer, and more difficult. It took longer. It was hot and uncomfortable. But it was the safest and surest way for the people of Israel to go.

Where is He leading you today? Wherever you find yourself, you can be sure He knows what He is doing. Even if it seems like your going the long way around.