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.” 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. Exodus 13:17-18

Have you ever felt like life takes you on the long, scenic route when you really just want to get there? I’ve felt that way with marriage, motherhood, spiritual growth, and contentment.

I’ve been frustrated and felt like God ignored my cries of “How long, O Lord?” Too many times, I overlooked God’s presence and provision; I was impatient and short-sighted.

I thought God’s goodness would be evident when I got to my final destination, whether it was a godly marriage or finally becoming a mother. But He was working through the journey; the long way wasn’t the wrong way.

God's path was a wise, loving plan filled with desert seasons. I needed to learn what the Israelites learned when they left Egypt and before they arrived at the Promised Land. When we read Exodus 13 through 18, we can see many of God’s plans for taking the long route.

God's presence was with them.

In Exodus 13:22, we see God’s presence was with the Israelites as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night that “did not depart from before the people.” We wish God’s presence was so obvious in our lives!

Even then, the Israelites grumbled and complained. They got hungry, thirsty, and tired – so much so that they wanted to go back to Egypt!

As believers, we have a Savior who came to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), who died and rose again to reconcile us with a holy God. God has gifted us the constant presence of His Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13) to comfort us and His written Word to guide and equip us (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We often fail to rely on these valuable tools on our long journeys. In the Old and New Testaments, God reminds us again and again that He is with us (see references below).

God's plan and provisions were sufficient.

If the Israelites’ path to the “good life” was direct and easy, it’s likely they would’ve become self-reliant and forgotten God’s role in freeing them from the Egyptians. They struggled with this anyway, as would we – our memories are short! They were terrified when they realized the Egyptians were pursuing them (Exodus 14), and bemoaned out loud they’d rather live as slaves than die in the wilderness.

God answers in Exodus 14:13-14: And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

They had to trust God’s path and plan, even though they were backed up against the Red Sea with seemingly no way out. Further in Exodus, we see God’s provision of water from a rock and literal daily food from heaven in the form of manna.

Instead of self-reliance, the Israelites needed to rely on God for their safety, guidance, and literal daily bread. Likewise, we can endure when we trust God to come through with His best when we can't see a way.

God's power was displayed and his glory revealed.

Only God could part the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to cross on dry ground, then close up the waters over the Egyptians who were pursuing them. In Exodus 14:25, the Egyptians with their muddy chariot wheels saw the impending doom and said, “Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians.”

I love how the same language is used here by the Egyptians (“the Lord fights for them”) as Moses told the Israelites! And God predicts the outcome (which He already knew), that His power and glory would be displayed. Exodus 14:18 says, “And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”

The Israelites, too, were shown God’s power and glory: Israel saw the great power that the LORD used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the LORD, and they believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses. (Exodus 14:31).

The Israelites saw God’s power and in turn, their awe and faith were strengthened. If we begin to see our “long paths” as purposeful, it can lead to deeper trust in God’s loving leadership.

He doesn’t delay us to torture us, but to grow our dependence on Him and to strengthen our faith and endurance. He proves Himself over and over again, and like the Israelites, we can say:

𝗧𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱

Read some or all of the passages below on God’s presence.

Deut. 31:8, Psalm 23, Psalm 46:1, Psalm 73:28, Psalm 139, Isaiah 43:1-3, Matt. 28:20, Hebrews 13:5-6

𝗧𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁

Think of a time when God seemed to take you the “long way.” How did He grow your faith and display His glory in that season? I’d love to hear your answer in the comments below.