Daily Dose of the Word of God - Exodus 13: 17-18, 21-22

Rachel Klooster & Billy Heschl

Transcript

Rachel Klooster  0:10 

Welcome to Elmhurst CRC’s Daily Dose of the Word of God. It’s Tuesday, October 29. This is Billy Heschl reading for Rachel Klooster. It’s the season of green and growing things, because God is on a mission to keep us growing Up, In and Out.  Let’s listen to Exodus 13:17-18 & 21-22

Rachel Klooster 0:34 

When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea. Thus the Israelites left Egypt like an army ready for battle.  The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.

Rachel Klooster  1:19 

To prepare for this devo, I looked at some maps of Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised land. Go ahead and Google it - there are many versions online. Most of the maps also show the way they could have taken (more direct, but through Philistine country, or slightly more direct but on a major trade route). It’s almost funny that God says, "I can’t send them that way, they’ll whimp out and turn back!"He knows our fickle human hearts and minds so well. Looking at those maps reminded me of a similar looking journey, one many of us take quite often - the trip from here to West Michigan, through Indiana around the lake. A few times on these trips, Google maps has led us off the main highways through back streets, side streets, commercial areas, even residential neighborhoods. Was this shorter? Definitely not. Quicker? Debatable. More aggravating? Probably!  But then, I’m not really one to take the scenic route, I prefer to take the direct route and get there ASAP. This is true for me not just on road trips, but in a lot of life. Why meander around when there is a direct route. But sometimes God has other plans. Sometimes we can look back and see why God had us on a “traffic jam” so to speak, maybe to avoid an accident. Other times there is no rhyme or reason why the path was not direct. But in our treks, if we can remember to follow the signs God is putting in front of us - one step at a time - we know he will be with us, through the desert, back roads, and side streets.

Rachel Klooster  3:00  

Let’s Pray: God our Father, thank you for leading us. Help us to discern how you are leading us and which direction we should be going. Give us strength and wisdom to follow you - especially when the path may seem less direct. In Jesus’ name, Amen.