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The famous writer, C.S. Lewis once said, “We are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we’re wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” As God was leading His people out of Egypt, He demonstrated great wisdom in the way He led them. He took them in a roundabout way as they left Egypt. We read this in Exodus Chapter 13: “When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, ‘If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’ So, God led them in a roundabout way through the wilderness toward the Red Sea.” Just as God knew what Israel would do in difficult situations long ago, God also knows how we will respond to certain challenges. So He wisely and lovingly shows us the best way. We see in Psalm 32:8 that He promises “to instruct us and teach us in the way we should go, to guide us with his eye on us.” He follows that promise with this caution found in the very next verse, Psalm 32:9: “Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” In other words, we must submit to God’s direction if we want to experience God’s best.
