A Different Way

God answers our prayers according to His loving and perfect will. Oftentimes, our understanding of God’s love is veiled by the trying times. We could not immediately understand how God’s work of grace is present during difficult times in our life. Yet, even in the turbulent moments of life, from the time we cry to God for help to the time He leads us to the solution, His love and grace remain present.

The story of Israel from Egypt to the wilderness is one such example of God’s loving perfect will executed beyond the understanding of man. When Israel was greatly afflicted by Egypt, God heard their cry of distress and called on Moses to deliver them from Egypt (Exodus 3). God heard the cry of Israel and today, He is still the same God who faithfully hears our cry of distress in times of difficulties.

In answer to the cry of Israel, God delivered them from the oppression of Egypt. We might think that God, being loving and merciful, He would naturally lead them to the easier way to bring them faster to the bountiful land flowing with milk and honey. But it was not so. God led the freed Israelites toward the wilderness.

“It happened, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God didn’t lead them by the 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 they return to Egypt;’
but God led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt.”

– Exodus 13:17-18 (WEB)

God chose the wilderness, a longer and more difficult path, for the Israelites to journey because God knew that when they saw a war they would be disheartened, then they will decide to return to Egypt. God led Israel through the wilderness because He wanted them to reach the Promise land and enjoy the new life there. The difficult path in the wilderness is God’s way for Israel to move forward toward His ultimate will for them. The wilderness was God’s protection and God’s grace over Israel to help them walk in the path of His will. It drew them closer to Him as their God. The longer more difficult path gave opportunities for Israel to experience more the presence of God. It was not an easy way, but it was the best way because it was the will of God.

God sometimes leads us through the ‘wilderness’ of life. How many times have we walked in the “wilderness” and experienced difficulties? We cry for help from God, yet His answer comes quite different from what we had in mind. We seek God’s help but His salvation comes differently. God’s way is different from our way. Sometimes, God uses difficulties to draw us nearer to Him because He knew that if we have the easy way, we would turn back to the old sinful ways, or that we would not have the drive to continue walking in His will. We could not completely understand God’s ways, but it is enough to know that His ways are far above us. His love is infinite and everlasting. So, we can trust Him even when we do not understand.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahweh.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

-Isaiah 55:8-9 (WEB)

Our problems, trials, and difficulties are ways that can draw us nearer to God. God uses them out of His perfect wisdom and loving will. We normally seek the easy way and the shortest path possible because it saves time, effort, and energy. But, God may lead us to the harder path to protect us from our own sinful inclinations.

Let us keep in mind that God takes care of His children just as how He took care of Israel. The difficult circumstances does not invalidate His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness. Instead, they amplify how great, loving, and gracious God is because in all things He works for the good of those who love Him.

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.”

– Romans 8:28 (WEB)