Detour Ahead
Detour ahead! Oh, that dreaded orange sign that seems to pop up out of nowhere when traveling down the highway. It ultimately translates into slow traffic, a longer route than anticipated, and prolonged delays. Not something anyone is really prepared for, especially if travel time is a little tight that day. I know road repairs are necessary, but delays of driving around those plastic cones and construction equipment is not something I normally would include in my agenda for the day.
Unprepared For Delay
Unprepared to take a different route can be quite stressful. The same can be true of the detours God gives us throughout our lifetime. Cruising along on life’s highway and then suddenly that same sign appears… Detour ahead. Health issues, job loss, family conflicts, or many other life rerouting events, all factor in on where that new route will take us. Altering our original destination with delays of life changing situations that were possibly unprepared for. Lamenting to God about this direction we now must go… “I don’t have time for this right now.” Or “I don’t want to take this new detour in my life.”
God’s Direction
If you’re like me, I have my goals set on a particular destination. Plans that seem to be working out just fine, then kaboom… just like that God has a detour in store for me. Can you relate? If so, you must remember that God knows what is best for you despite what you might have planned (Romans 8:28). Be rest assured you are not alone.
Biblical Detours
There are many instances in the Bible where God put out a detour sign for someone who had a different destination in mind. Look at Moses, God led him on a 40-year detour for the greater good of the Israelites when their route otherwise could have been much quicker, (Joshua 5:6). Or Joseph who spent 13 years in slavery and prison before entering Pharoah’s service. Joseph was able to see God’s design in the detour and didn’t blame his brothers for what they did to him, (Genesis 37:12-28). Then there was Paul who was on the road to Damascus with his political agenda when God rerouted his destination to transform him into an Apostle, (Acts 9:1-19).
Trust in God’s Provodential Guidance
God can and will alter our destination as well, leaving us with questions. Sending us a direction we don’t think we are ready for at the time. However, we must place our trust in His gracious will of pointing us in the direction we must go, (Proverbs 3:5-6). Knowing that during those struggles with the detour’s that life brings us… the Lord’s purpose will prevail (Proverbs 19:21). Yes, it can seem like miles of orange cones with no end in sight. But be assured, that when you are through driving around those cones and construction equipment, it is God’s guiding hand that is pointing the way. Guiding us to an eternal relationship with Him.
Dear Lord, protect and guide me through the detours in my life and the ensuing roadblocks. Thank you for always being there and knowing what is best for me. Amen.
Romans 8:28
Joshua 5:6
Genesis 37:12-28
Acts 9:1-19
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 19:21
— Phil
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Today’s Scripture
Romans 8:28
Future Glory
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[8] for those who are called according to his purpose.
Josua 5:6
The New Generation Circumcised
6 For the people of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, until all the nation, the men of war who came out of Egypt, perished, because they did not obey the voice of the Lord; the Lord swore to them that he would not let them see the land that the Lord had sworn to their fathers to give to us, a land flowing with milk and honey.
Genesis 37:12-28
Joseph Sold by His Brothers
12 Now his brothers went to pasture their father’s flock near Shechem. 13 And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock at Shechem? Come, I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “Here I am.” 14 So he said to him, “Go now, see if it is well with your brothers and with the flock, and bring me word.” So he sent him from the Valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem. 15 And a man found him wandering in the fields. And the man asked him, “What are you seeking?” 16 “I am seeking my brothers,” he said. “Tell me, please, where they are pasturing the flock.” 17 And the man said, “They have gone away, for I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. 18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.[2] Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. 25 Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. 26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels[3] of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
Acts 9:1-19
The Conversion of Saul
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 19:21
Plans of man
21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.