Scripture to Read: Exodus 13:17–22
When we ended last week's devotions, the Nation of Israel had been set free from Egypt by the awesome hand of God. God is always at work in our lives, and we must trust Him even when it does not make sense. As we read Exodus 13:17, “…God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, ‘The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.’” God knows us because He created us. He did not want the Israelites cowering before the Egyptian army because God knew they would pursue Israel. Sometimes in our lives, it seems like we’re being led the long road instead of the “fast track.” But God knows what we need and where we need to go, so we must trust Him as we serve Him each day (Proverbs 3:5–6). God also loves to meet our needs, and He met the need of Israel by being “a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night” (Exodus 13:21). God stayed with them continually, for God tells us in Exodus 13:22, “He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.” As Christians, we have so much more because God is always with us, living in us (Ephesians 4:30, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19).
Challenge & Application
· What kind of situations have you faced that did not make sense at the time but you saw God’s faithfulness through it?
· Because our Lord lives in us, how has that encouraged and carried you through the tough times?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!