I was texting with a friend last night who has been on a long road, just yesterday her husband had open heart surgery and she also buried her beloved father like me in January. Several years ago her brother was murdered in 2011.
As I texted with her we both agreed in the last several years we had been on long roads. Even though my road and hers has been a long one, there are others that have been on and are still on long roads. Long roads, that seem to take sharp turns with huge inclines and steep valleys that seem to never end at a desired destination.
I’ve been reading through the life of Moses and what I am reminded of is when God led the Israelites out of Egypt he took them on a longer road. Exodus 13:17, “When Pharaoh let the people go, God DID NOT LEAD them on the road through the Philistine country, though that WAS SHORTER. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.”
God’s ways are higher…we can all read the story and see what God had planned for Pharaoh and his army and the Israelites…war! He had a great destination for the Israelites but he knew their weak flesh and their lack of insight and understanding for His master plan for them. He wanted them to face their giants, so he chose the longer road for their greater good.
If you are traveling on a long life road, be reminded that God loves you and has a master plan for your life, a long road could be one in which God refines you, allows you to become intimate with Him because you see His hand as He guides and comforts you all along the way. You may even get to see Him deal with an enemy as he dealt with Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Be reminded, a long road could have a war for you to fight along the way to His intended destination for you, and God’s desire may be for you not to turn and run but to fight…so that ultimately you can see HIS mighty hand of deliverance and provision that increases your faith and trust of Him.
Trust God today on your long road, you + God can defeat any enemy! When obeying God you can always trust HE has your back even when the odds seemed stacked against you. Acts 5:39, “But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men, you will only find yourself fighting against God.” AMEN!