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 13:18
Today’s text proves the truth of the old saying that ‘the longest way around is the shortest way home’. As the Israelites departed Egypt and began their journey to Canaan, the shortest route would have been to go through the land of the Philistines. In fact, such a route could have taken them mere weeks to reach their destination, and could have avoided most of the worst obstacles of the wilderness. But in His wisdom, God led them by a safer route, just as He leads us by the way that is for our best.
If the children of Israel had marched straight across to Canaan, they would have needed to march through Philistia, and the Philistines were warlike people who proved over and again they were no friend of God or His people. Encountering them would have discouraged the Israelites and sent them back into Egypt. God’s better way was longer, but it was for their best. We frequently run into situations where we wonder why God leads us in a direction that makes no sense to us. We go because God is protecting us from dangers that lurk in the way that seems right to us. We go because God has lessons to teach us and opportunities to bless us on the way that He knows is best.
Remember the old Sunday School chorus: My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, And all I have to do is follow. Strength for today is mine all the way, And all that I need for tomorrow. My Lord knows the way through the wilderness, and all I have to do is follow. -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/IwR7kKx_YuM