The first time I travelled from Calgary to Banff, I got lost. I had heard that it was approximately an hour’s drive but because I did not know where I was going I decided to trust my GPS which took me around the mountains in a nine-hour journey from Calgary to Banff! The Israelites in departing from Egypt to their Promised Land, Canaan, were in a similar situation. They were being led by an ancient GPS- the Ancient of Days- who appeared as a cloud by day and fire by night to guide them to the land that was flowing with milk and honey. This journey which should have taken them at most 40 days, took 40 years! How? and Why? Today’s reading gives us a clue:

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.” But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.

Exodus 13:17-18 ESV

God (their GPS), did not make a mistake! It was always God’s intention to lead them the roundabout way and for their own good! Although the Israelites left Egypt equipped for battle, they were unprepared for battle and would have balked at the first sight of war, running straight back into captivity. By detouring them, the Israelites got to have and learn from many life experiences; they became more rugged, seasoned, and battle-ready. In the 40-year detour, God stripped the nation of unbelief, rebellion, disobedience and through the process, taught them how to trust and depend on Him.

Friends, the story of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan is as relevant for us today as it was back then. There is a Promised Land we are journeying to- the City of God and God is leading us there through detours, zig-zags, and backtracking in a roundabout way. This is a process of sanctification, to cleanse us of the idols of Egypt- our old way of life which we gave up when we asked Jesus into our lives, and to prepare us for battle against the fiery darts of the evil one. In the journey towards our forever home, we have a lot to learn about ourselves and our Heavenly Father. We have a lot to learn about what it means to be truly free- to be translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God’s marvelous light (Colossians 1:13) and to no longer be slaves to sin (Romans 6).

Many times the journey seems arduous and frustrating and the lessons we learn along the way may be painful and seem unnecessary. However, it all comes full circle. James 1:3 and Romans 5: 3-4 assure us that when it feels like our faith is being tested, we should take solace in this fact that we are building character which works to strengthen our confident hope in the God who saves us.

For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:3NLT

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:3-4 NLT

Being equipped for battle does not equate to being ready for battle. But guess what, God promises to guide us along the best paths for our lives even if they seem convoluted; and fully girded in His armour, He promises to train us for battle along the way. We can rest in these promises:

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you…” Psalm 32:8 NLT

Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. Psalm 144:1 NLT

So back to the story of my journey to Banff: About four hours into this trip around the mountain, I stopped being upset and fussing at my GPS for taking me the wrong way. The sun had started to set and I was feeling even more lost now than I was four hours prior. Instead of trying to fight it, I leaned into the journey by trusting that my GPS had brought me this far and would see me through the rest of the way, even through the darkest valleys (no pun intended- I was literally driving through the peaks and valleys of the terrain). When I stopped complaining about my “faulty” GPS and started to trust that the GPS would get me there, it was only then that I noticed how majestic the snowcapped mountains and the lakes that meandered through them were. The forest around me was so serene and the wildlife was just incredible. That journey, at least the second half of it, remains till today the most breathtaking journey I have had in my entire life!

Friends, the journey home to life everlasting is everything but a straight line! There will be highs and lows; ups and downs; there may be u-turns along the route; and sometimes, boy will it feel like you went the wrong way! But rest assured, as long as the Lord is your guide, you are not lost…just being prepared for your eternal home where God Himself shall receive you to glory.

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Psalm 73:24 ESV

Yours Truly.

p.s. we will pick up the topic of sanctification in another post