EXODUS 13:17-22 – When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel solemnly swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones with you from here.” 20 And they moved on from Succoth and encamped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.”
THEME OF THE DAY: HE NEVER LEADS THE EASY WAY. I want to make a confession. If it fits, you may borrow it too. Here we go. I want my life to be influential for Christ. I want to enjoy close fellowship with Him. I want my character to be more like Him. I want my testimony for Him to be noticeable by others and “squeaky clean”, and I want all those marks of spiritual life, hunger, and maturity to be who I am without any suffering, pain, inconveniences, and trials! And I need to listen to these words from Jesus, the Apostle Paul, and the example from the Israelites in today’s scripture to remind me, and you, none of those spiritual realities will occur without much suffering, pain, inconveniences, and trials.
First, Jesus tells us a life led by Him and for Him will be full of tribulation – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John16:33).
Next, the wise words of the Apostle Paul telling us how difficult life will be in following Jesus – When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:21-22).
Finally, we see the example of God’s people in today’s scripture. Pay attention how God led them to the promised land. It wasn’t the easy way. It wasn’t the smooth road. Here is what we read in Exodus 18 – But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle. In the scriptures, wilderness is often described as a difficult place, a place of judgment, and it is not a nice place for a camping vacation, but God knows the wilderness is necessary for His children . . . all His children, including us!
PRAYER: “Father, forgive me for the times I complain about Your sovereignty.”
QUOTE: “God never leads us according to our wills, desires or the easy way.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim