Esther 1:1-22; Zechariah 11:1-17; Revelation 18:1-24
It came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by 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 return to Egypt.” Ex. 13:17, NKJV
The Lord did not lead the children of Israel in the most direct way to Canaan. We might have opted for the shortest way but the Lord’s ways aren’t our ways. The Lord knew the capacities of His people. He knew that warfare with the Philistines would discourage them. Maybe today you are wondering why the Lord has led you in a certain direction. He knows what you can bear. Trust your tender leader as He goes before you today. One day He’ll tell you why. —Paul Robertson
Whate’er I do, where’er I be,
Still ’tis God’s hand that leadeth me. —Joseph Gilmore