Exodus 13:17-18

We intended and planned a four-week road trip to Alaska. Reservations were made for lodging along the way, garbage and mail were placed on hold, and we carefully selected a flexible wardrobe to take. The day came and we left, feeling good to be able to travel to Alaska again.

Within the first two days, a series of things began to happen. We had a minor car problem, a head cold attacked my husband, and we had to reroute ourselves due to river flooding. We began to see light smoke in the air. The next morning, we realized that the wildfires burning to the north and east were real dangers. Two towns through which we would pass were being evacuated, two more towns where we planned to stay were being used as evacuation centers, and heavy smoke was lying low for miles ahead of us. There was no indication that the situation would change soon. So, we returned home.

When the Israelites left Egypt, led by Moses, they had to make serious adjustments to their route toward the promised land as well. The traditional routes would have posed threats to their safety. So, Moses listened to God and brought the people into the wilderness through a circuitous route. Exodus 12:17-18 reads (The Message): “It so happened that after Pharaoh released the people, God didn’t lead them by the road through the land of the Philistines, which was the shortest route, for God thought, “If the people encounter war, they’ll change their minds and go back to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people on the wilderness road, looping around to the Red Sea. The Israelites left Egypt in military formation.”

Sometimes, if you are totally perplexed as to what to do, turn to God in prayer. Other times, God will give you signs to help you determine what to do. So, read the signs, be flexible, and keep your eyes and ears open to God’s guidance. God will see you through.

Prayer: Guide me, O God, in the ways I should go. Amen.