Know When to Hold ‘em, Know When to Fold ‘em

April 25

Read: Chapter 13, Attn: v.17-122

Know When to Hold ‘em, Know When to Fold ‘em

“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.” (v.17)

Sometimes we don’t realize that God leads us into the “wilderness” to spare us from a “war”. We may find ourselves in a place that seems barren and empty, and wonder why God would lead us there!? The truth is that he may be sparing us from a battle all along.

When God rescued his people form slavery, he took the long way around to “get outta dodge”. The scriptures say he did this because he knew that the resolve of his people would be shaken if they had to face a war at this point after having been through all that they had been through. It is sad to say, but the people of God tend to run back into those things that enslave them when they face opposition and “battle” in this life… we “return back to Egypt”. So God in his kindness took his people the long way around… an indirect route… and brought them out into the wilderness as they left Egypt. God would eventually take them to the shore of the Red Sea.

The scriptures declare, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” (1 Cor. 10:13) We see the mechanics of this working out here in Exodus 13… God looking out for his people and not testing them beyond what they can endure. The truth is that they were to very happy about the wilderness either, but they had no idea what they were being spared.

I wonder if there was a dude in the crowd who noticed that they were missing a short cut? Can you imagine some people who were saying to one another, “I don’t think Moses knows what he is doing! Maybe God doesn’t know what he is doing? We could have gone that other way and it would have been shorter.” We don’t like to say it out loud, but sometimes the people of God doubt that he knows what he is doing… that he is leading them where it is best for them. One thing the Lord did to help in this was go before his people in a pillar of smoke and a pillar of fire. God leads his people. He gives us directions. He has a habit of “going the distance” and making sure that we have a sense of where our next step needs to be. He “lights our path”. (cf. Ps. 119:105, John 14:6) Jesus is our “trailblazer” who travels ahead of us leading the way: “You (oh Lord) search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways…You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” (Ps.139:3,5) “…Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the forerunner / trailblazer / founder and perfecter of our faith…) (cf. Hebrews 12:1,2) Jesus is OUR pillar of smoke and fire. The Holy Spirit will guide our steps. The word of God will light the way.

The next time you fin yourself standing at the “edge of the wilderness” and feeling on the run, remember these truths: God rarely leads us on the most direct route. In his kindness, at times, he cares us from the battles he knows would send us packing “back to Egypt”. The wilderness in those cases is a BLESSING from the Lord. He knows what you can and cannot endure and is leading you in the path that he has for you. Look for his direction… look for the “pillars” he has placed in your life. Sometimes you pass up the “short-cut” to walk the long way around and it is an act of mercy. We “carry the bones” of the men and women of faith who have gone before us, let them remind us of God’s trustworthiness, his provision, and his mercy and love! (cf. Ex. 13:19) So here is to knowing when not to pick a fight…and taking the long way home. Love you guys! JDP