Exodus 13:17-22 17When 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.” 18So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle. 19Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.” 20After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. 21By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
Flying from Albuquerque to Tampa is simple—just a quick plane change in Dallas. Usually. A number of years ago that same trip took most of the night with an unplanned stop in Denver in addition to Dallas. We arrived around 3:00 a.m. to discover Tampa airport was closed—only the custodial staff was left to greet us as they cleaned and prepped for the new day. God had other plans for us that night as we later discovered we had been kept safe from numerous devastating storms hovering over our usual flight path.
In our passage today, the Israelites came up out of Egypt “armed for battle” (v. 18). They had planned for a short trip through Philistine country. God had other plans. The Israelites were to take the same route once taken four centuries earlier by Joseph as he buried his father, Jacob, in their homeland. God even provided guidance both day and night with pillars of cloud and fire.
Gracious Heavenly Father, our LORD God Almighty,
Thank you for your watch care over us. Thank you, too, for rerouting us when we stray from your planned course. Thank you for the provision of your Holy Spirit for guidance.
In the Name of Jesus Christ, our LORD and Savior, Amen.
The devotion A Change of Plans was originally written for Monday, May 19, 2013; for Maranatha Devotional Guide, an Advent Christian Publication https://acgc.us As the original author of this devotion, I reserve the right to update and share it on my current devotional blog Write From My Heart at https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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