Good afternoon everyone,

Exodus 13:17-18-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."

Throughout my walk with God there have been times where I was really confused as to why God would have me in certain places. Especially when I felt ready or ambitous about something I really desired to do. Yet in looking back, and still constantly reminding myself, I believe I know now why God takes us the longer route.

A continuous examinination of ourselves honest before God is the safest way from presumption, and a naive arrogance that believes we are ready for things that God says we are not. God tells the children of Israel that the reason He is taking them the long way is because they don’t know the strength of their enemy. So our Lord doesn’t want to take the risk that such a battle could end up with them losing their faith in following Moses through the Red Sea.

What about us? Many times when we are ambitious about something our focus is entirely all the good things we can accomplish. Yet that is only half of what we will face when we get to our destination. We hardly, if ever, think about our enemy the devil, and the opposition he has prepared for us to face before we get to where we desire. Like a loving and protective Father, our Lord many of times take us the "long way" because He is thorough and wants us to be spiritually strong enough to handle the next step in our lives. Have you considered the demons that hell has prepared to release specifically to harm you? Do you have the kind of devotional life with God, that when He "slows everything down" and takes you the long route, you won’t lose your faith in His protective love against your enemies?

In His Love, Ld