Do you get discouraged and feel like your life is hard? You may wander if God is really providentially watching over you. If not careful, your discouragement can lead to disappointment and bitterness toward God.
In our human way of thinking if we would have just received God’s favor or blessing with a break here-or-there our life would be better. We asked why did this event happen to me? We complain about our finances, health, and relationships.
We often sound like the children of Israel who complained to God regularly. They whined about their water, food, and circumstances. They believed they were better off in the bonds of slavery. They wished to go back to Egypt.
Yet, it should be understood that they were on God’s path. They were being lead by God directly through the pillar of fire and cloud (Ex. 13:21-22). In fact, they were taking the easier of two paths in the judgment of God. The normal route to Canaan would be along the coast on the road of Gaza hugging the Mediterranean Sea, but traveling through the land of the Philistines.
But, “God did not lead them by the 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 lead the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea” (Ex. 13:17-18).
As we read of all the travails and problems that Israel will have in their journey to Canaan, remember it would have been worse, maybe disastrous, had God lead them into battle against the Philistines.
www.Jesuswalk.com – Traditional Route of the Exodus
Here is the point: Just because the road we travel has challenges and struggles, it does not mean it is not the better road! We should not make the assumption, that we are not receiving God’s favor or blessings, just because we are facing challenges. We will likely never know the pain and hardship we would have endured, the possible complete loss of faith, had God lead us down the “nearer” path.
We have a limited perspective. Our role is to seek first the kingdom of God and trust in Him no matter the path our life takes.
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