Preachers have preached and hearers have heard that it is because of the rebellion of the Israelites that they took 40 years to reach the promised land when there was a way much shorter for them to reach.

But do you know that actually it was God who led them to go the longer route through the wilderness than the short route because otherwise they would have retreated (turn back) and gone back to Egypt!

“Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, “The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” Therefore God led the people around by way of the wilderness to the Red Sea; and the sons of Israel went up in battle formation from the land of Egypt.

Exodus 13:17‭-‬18

God knows what we would do even before we do things and He guides our paths according to that as He knows all things – those dangers that we have not yet seen.

God created all things on earth in just 6 days as we all know. Did it require 25 years for God to give one child to Abraham? Not at all, but it required 25 years for God to make Abraham what He called him to be – the Father of faith.

The delay in our lives is not because God is doing it for some strange unknown reason but because it takes time for Him to mould us and make us to be what He intended as He has called us with a purpose in His mind.

So cheer up – “God knows the end from the beginning” and He will complete the work that He has started in you.

It is most important that you enter the promised land than retreat or turn back to Egypt and it is utmost important that you become that which God has intended us to be than reach somewhere where He never intended us to be.

Be encouraged in this fact that you can trust Him to complete the work He started in you.

“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”

Philippians 1:6