DELAYED FOR A REASON
Exodus 13:17
Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead
them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near;
for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds
when they see war, and return to Egypt.”
A quick glance at a map of the Mediterranean world in the time of the Exodus shows the proximity of Egypt to the Promised Land. It should have taken only a matter of weeks for Moses and the Israelites to walk around the southeast corner of the Mediterranean Sea to Canaan. But Moses led the people into the Sinai desert so they would not encounter the warlike Philistines and flee back to slavery in Egypt. The Israelites complained, not understanding that being alive at the hand of Moses was better than being dead at the hands of the Philistines.
How many times do we complain about life’s circumstances without knowing what’s going on behind the scenes? God’s hand of mercy and grace is at work, protecting us and guiding our steps more times than we are aware. Our response ought to be, “Lord, thank You for this delay,” instead of, “Lord, why are You allowing me to be inconvenienced?”
Make it a habit to thank God for His providential protection—the shield of His faithfulness that surrounds you moment by moment.
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 