The God of the Long Way, Advance Nights #2: Earl McClellan
“Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
Exodus 14:21-22, NIV
In Exodus, the Israelites came out of physical bondage. Generations died in slavery and faith, yet they didn’t see the miracle of their freedom. However, after 430 years, God showed up and brought deliverance to His chosen people. The bondage that we may be carrying right now is not too big for God. He can handle it all and break every single chain off of our lives.
After all the Israelites endured, God took them the long way. They faced battles that did something to their hearts that they didn’t want. Some even wanted to return to Egypt. We don’t serve a God of shortcuts. We serve a God who asks for our trust so that He can take us the long way. He knows what’s best for us. God is willing for us to be frustrated in order to get us to the promised land.
Although the children of Israel left Egypt ready for battle, God did not allow them to fight. The Isrealites thought that they were going to have hand-to-hand combat, but they ended up with heart-to-head combat. Will we trust God when it doesn’t make sense? It’s easier to trust God when we can control things. Many of us are in a spot where we have a lot of heart-to-head combat. In every season of our lives, God gives us opportunities to trust Him. Are we willing to trust God even when we don’t understand? Are we willing to trust God when it feels like everything or everyone is against us? Our heart and head must be in alignment with God’s Word. Although we look like we’re ready for battle, the real battle is the thing that nobody else can see. If we can surrender our lives to God, we will find victory.
As Joseph was dying, he made the Israelites take an oath declaring that the Lord would fulfill His promise and come to their aid. Joseph walked through enough suffering yet he had seen the faithfulness of God. His suffering allowed him to speak about God’s goodness and mercy. Joseph was taken from the pit, Potiphar’s house, prison, and the palace. Although God used him to save many nations in Egypt, he was not enamored by its spoils and glamour.
Joseph’s brothers promised that they would carry his bones home to be buried. Moses fulfilled this promise. Through Moses, Joseph’s memories and testimony were carried into the Promised Land by the long way.
Prayer: Lord, let our hearts and minds be aligned with Your will, Your way, and Your Word. Remind us that You will fulfill Your promise and surely come to our aid when we trust You to take us the long way. May we stand firm and still as You fight for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.