Divine Delays

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.”

Exodus 13:17

Not a day goes by when our plans aren’t changed by circumstances beyond our control. Natural disasters, house or car problems, unexpected illness, traffic jams on the freeway, a friend or neighbor with an emergency need, unforeseen time demands at work—the list goes on. The question is, Can we trust that God is in those unforeseen delays, diversions, and distractions?

A rarely read verse in Exodus (13:17) tells how God led the newly freed Hebrew nation into the Sinai Desert instead of around the southeast “corner” of the Mediterranean Sea into the Promised Land. Why? So the Hebrews wouldn’t encounter the Philistines who inhabited that region, be attacked, and flee back to Egypt for safety. The Hebrews grumbled loud and long about the Sinai sand and sun, but at least they were alive. If they had met the Philistines, they might have been slaughtered.

Next time your path is changed unexpectedly, trust by faith that God is in it and that the change was for a good reason (Romans 8:28).

Hope is the foundation of patience.

JOHN CALVIN