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Fire in my Bones Youth for Jesus

Why the longer route? | J.O. Lawal

Have you ever wondered why it is taking God so long to fulfil certain dreams of yours in life or to fulfil certain promises of His to you? At least, He is all-powerful and there is nothing too hard for Him to do. And we have examples in the bible of the manifestation of His great power in changing circumstances of life almost in no time. For instance, we are told in it of how, in the days of Prophet Elisha, He ended a very severe famine of some unspecified time in just one day. And since this is the case with Him, it really should not be taking Him long or forever to fix our problems or to exalt us from where we are to where we should be. (Cf. 2Kings 6&7)

Date: March 09, 2022 | Series: Youth for Jesus | Number: Vol. 4, No. 43

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt armed for battle.” (Ex 13:17-18NIV)

Have you ever wondered why it is taking God so long to fulfil certain dreams of yours in life or to fulfil certain promises of His to you? At least, He is all-powerful and there is nothing too hard for Him to do. And we have examples in the bible of the manifestation of His great power in changing circumstances of life almost in no time. For instance, we are told in it of how, in the days of Prophet Elisha, He ended a very severe famine of some unspecified time in just one day. And since this is the case with Him, it really should not be taking Him long or forever to fix our problems or to exalt us from where we are to where we should be. (Cf. 2Kings 6&7)

Yet, often, it looks like it is taking Him forever to accomplish His good purpose for our lives. There are, in fact, times that we may feel like He may never get the job done in our entire lifetime. So, we are tempted to give up on Him and take our lives and future in our own hands. But once we do that, are bound to create problems for ourselves that may stay with us for generations to come.

Remember, for instance, what Abraham and Sarah’s impatience with God brought on them. God had told them that He would give them a child of their own, even in their old age (Gen 15). And though they believed Him when He made this promise to them, the older they got, the more impatient they became with Him. Eventually, at some point, based on Sarah’s suggestions, Hagar, her maidservant, was brought into the scene, so that they could build a family through her. Unfortunately, that decision almost ruined their beautiful marriage. It would, in fact, have ruined it, if Abraham had not truly loved his wife, Sarah, and listened to her. Nonetheless, it brought into the world generations of a man of violence, a man that does not know how to live at peace with anybody, even his own brothers. (Cf. Gen 16)

So, we need to learn to walk with God with patience. That is because if He has promised to do something for us or if He has shown us visions or dreams of His purpose for us, He will surely fulfil them, however long it might take Him. And remember that we are the ones that are often worried about time. He does not worry about it at all, for He is the author of time. So, as Peter says, whether it is a day or a thousand years, it makes no difference to Him – what He has promised to do, He will surely do. (Cf. 2Peter 3:8)

But then, for our comfort and encouragement, we are shown some reasons in the bible why it may take God a longer time than we expect to bring about the fulfilment of His purpose in our lives. And we have one of such reasons in our opening bible text. There we are plainly told why God led the children of Israel through a longer route, when He brought them out of Egypt.

As the account shows, these Israelites came out of Egypt ready for battle. But were they really ready for battle? In their own estimation, they felt that they were ready for battle. But God knows that they were not ready for it. He knew that if they saw war in the state they were at the time, they would certainly change their minds and turn back to Egypt for help. Therefore, He did not take them through the land of the Philistines, though it was a shorter route. Instead, He took them through the desert road and towards the Red Sea.

Now was He right about them or not? He was right about them, for when Pharaoh came out with his army against them in order to bring them back into slavery, they did not march out to fight him. Instead, all they did was cry and blame Moses for delivering them. That shows that they were not ready for battle at all. And if God had not been the one behind their deliverance, they would not have escaped Pharaoh’s chains of slavery that day. (Cf. Ex 14:5-10)

So, there are times that we ourselves are the reasons God is taking long in fulfilling His purpose concerning us. We are not just ready to handle what is coming. We may think we are ready for it. But when we are confronted with some circumstances, we will see clearly that we are not just ready to handle the promotion, increase or independence our hearts are yearning for. And our failure at such times may so fill us with discouragement and fear that we may totally turn away from all that is meant to be ours. Can you relate to that?

Well, in order to prevent such things from happening to us, God, in His wisdom and patience, may decide to take us through a route where challenges and trials of life will not frighten us and drive us permanently away from His purpose for us. This route, however, may be long and winding. But if we are patient with the one leading us, he will surely bring us home in one piece and at the right time.

So, when next you are worried that the fulfilment of certain promises of God to you or certain dreams and visions of yours is taking too long, remember how God dealt with the Israelites and stay encouraged. Then keep on praying that He will perfect all that is lacking in your readiness to take and enjoy what He has prepared for you.

See you at the place of your dreams!

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5 replies on “Why the longer route? | J.O. Lawal”

When it seems the fulfilment of certain promises of God to us is taking too long, we must remember how God dealt with the Israelites and stay encouraged and be patient

In this article, i have learnt to be patient in my walk with God even when it seems things are slow or not going my way. Thank you pastor, sir.

This article has answered some of the things I have been thinking about. I am blessed and also have answers for people who ask me questions along this line as well. More wisdom and knowledge sir. God bless your family and ministry in Jesus name.

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