Exodus 13:17
'And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, lest peradventure [maybe/by chance] the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt'.
When God brings us out of bondage, (what ever that may be to you as we are all bound by different things, people and places) he knows that there is a quick or short route that you can take to get to or reach your destination. These quicker routes or short cuts if you like are also existent when God wants to bring you to something new, or make you new in some way.
But you must know, that God also knows that on that quick route or short cut, there are things that will befall you that may effect you or change you in such a way, that you turn back and forget about where you are supposed to be going all together and eventually go back to the place or way you were living before; taking yourself back into Egypt. Back into bondage...
So God in his infinite wisdom takes us on a longer journey. One where we learn to endure, how to handle and overcome the situations that we will face when we finally reach our destinations, our promised lands.
You see, the journey through the wilderness is a training ground, to develop our strength and wisdom. The wilderness is designed to give us the experience we need to stand firm and strong when we get to where we are going, so we are not scared, weak or afraid of any challenge that arrises in our new lives and when we reach our destinations we are ready and fully equipped to deal with every situation.
Many a time we will feel that God wants us to do things a certain way, which will seem like the longest way possible, probably because it actually is! But there is invaluable training and skill to be gained from that route and God knows that the quiker route could ultimately lead lead to you becoming so much more discouraged or swayed from your path that you end up on the wrong path heading the wrong way back into captivity; so He takes you on the scenic route for your own benefit. Don't try and rush through it, take your tie and enjoy the scenery for once you are out, you will not get another chance, because you would have made it to your promised land and destination.
So, what's with the quick root, why is it so dangerous?..
If we look at the scripture (Ex 13:17) it is revealed that the quick root requires us to go through the land of the philistines. The philistines are ungodly people, evil and corrupt.
You know what and where your land of phillistines is...
God does not want to send you through that path, because, he wants you to succeed in getting to your promised land, and on the path of the philistines, are all the things and people you left behind waiting to destroy you. These shortcuts represent the way of the world and God does not want you to get to your place by the way of the world. He would rather you spent 40 years wandering through the wilderness learning, growing and developing, taking your time to get to your promise, ready and full of wisdom, instead of you taking the quick route and never reaching your destination at all...
Prayer of declaration (You must speak this over yourself to God)
Lord, I thank you for your Word to me and your leadership in my life.
I ask you to keep me strong through the way of the wilderness that I do not become discouraged and lose heart or faith or sight of the promise you have given to me.
I thank you for loving me and guiding me in Spirit, Wisdom and in truth
In Jesus's name, Amen
