READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l Why does the “shorter way” feel more attractive? How do we accept with faith the “longer road” we may need to take in life?
Freed from 430 years of slavery in Egypt, God had made the impossible a reality for the Hebrews by confronting Pharoah with 10 plagues. They were jubilantly expecting the future to be smooth and successful. But getting to the Promised Land was neither shortest nor straightforward. Instead of 2-3 weeks by foot to Canaan through Philistine land, their journey took all of 40 years. God had intentionally led them away from Philistia along a wilderness road toward the Red Sea.
After slogging studiously for a good job, many today expect a plan of linear progression–marriage, children, promotion to senior management, car and private property ownership, retirement before 50 with financial security, etc. Frustration and anxiety set in when thrown a curve ball at work, in the family, marriage, ministry, or health; and having to detour back on the ‘right route’. Importantly, understanding God’s leadership–what He does, what He avoids, what He anticipates, impacts our spiritual growth, formation, and sense of timing.
THE LONG WAY IS NOT THE WRONG WAY, BUT THE RIGHT AND BETTER WAY.
a) To protect us – “If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt.” (v17) Coming out of oppression, the Israelites were not armed or trained to fight the Philistines, a daunting and aggressive military force. God’s direction was reasonable and consistent with His righteous nature – there was no need to attack Philistine which had not acted wickedly towards Israel at that point in time. God, like a protective father, will instinctively grab his child from oncoming danger if he attempts to dash across the road. Though pained or confused when a door shuts, a relationship does not work out, or an opportunity slips away, God’s children must realise that all-knowing Almighty God is not punishing but shielding them from what they are not ready for.
b) To Prepare Us – What appears to be failure is formation. Israel needed to become a people of God – not tourists in the wilderness, but children trained to flourish in the Promised Land. Eugene Peterson (A Long Road in the Same Direction) wrote that
- It is “terrifically difficult to sustain” people’s interest in the gospel message.
- There is a “dreadful attrition rate” among people who make decisions for Christ.
- Many claim to be born again, but “mature Christian discipleship is slim”.
He explains that there is now a great market for (enjoying) religious experience, but enthusiasm for “patient acquisition of virtue” and “long apprenticeship of holiness” (as earlier generations have sought) is little. Prevalent in the church today is a “tourist mindset” for spiritual moments that are Instagram-able. Formation that God wants for us, however, requires lasting apprenticeship leading to transformation, not instant shortcuts and bitesize discipleship. God wants our most precious resource of TIME – consecrated to Him for training and development, much like National Service BMT (Basic Military Training) and two years of conscripted fulltime recruitment required of our young men. They are toughened and disciplined through mental and physical discomfort to stay alive and win battles. Christians likewise are to train and flourish as God’s people in His eternal Kingdom.
THE LONG ROAD IS NOT WASTED TIME BUT FORMATION TIME. It takes time to be holy. Resilience for something greater, faith to believe, capacity to lead others, and the ability to love like Jesus are attributes formed only when we obey God’s terms by following the CLOUD, not the crowd. In two years, the Israelites grew tired of God’s guiding presence after hearing unfavourable reports from some spies sent to Canaan. They chose to believe they would die in the desert than to trust in the God who had freed them for joyful obedience to Him. (Numbers 14:1-4) Who are we listening to and following? Are we influenced by society’s loud voices that draw us away from Him? Or do we seek God’s gentle voice, choose purity over popularity in order to become more Christ-like? To travel with God on the long road, we need to faithfully follow His “pillar of cloud by day, and pillar of fire by night” (v21). God manifested His presence then through divine pillars. Today, Christ leads the way we should go. Will we follow and form after Jesus by adjusting our lifestyle to participate in church-curated events that help form our devotion to God?
Two Ways to Follow God on The Long Road
- Carry with us the “bones of Joseph” (Genesis 50:24-25) – stories, memories, and symbols that remind us of God’s faithfulness. Joseph knew God would bring His people out of Egypt “to the land that He swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” He made the generations after him (over 350 years) swear to leave Egypt with his bones which were a physical reminder to them of God’s faithfulness. Mementos remind us tangibly of past significant experiences with God. They keep us moving when the road becomes long and hard. Pillars of cloud and fire were external reminders of God’s presence. The Holy Spirit presently indwells and reminds every believer that God is faithful and present to comfort and lead.
- Believe in God’s faithful guiding presence. Teresa of Avila wrote: “Let nothing disturb you; let nothing frighten you. All things pass away; God alone never changes. He who has God finds he lacks nothing. God alone suffices.” Seasons come and go. So do good and difficult times. Every pain, confusion, and waiting are transient. This too will pass, but God will not. Only God’s presence stays to protect and prepare us for the journey ahead. Trust that God’s presence is enough even when the path is unclear.
As Easter people, let us embrace a long detour. Start trusting God’s timing in our circumstances by laying every difficult issue in His hand. Follow God’s cloud absolutely – resist the way of the crowd. With praise and thanksgiving, recall and intentionally tell of His faithfulness!
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture: Exodus 13:17–22
a. Why does God intentionally avoid the shorter route through Philistine territory?
b. What is the significance of the pillar of cloud and fire?
c. Why does the narrator include the detail about Joseph’s bones?
d. What do you observe about God’s leadership in this passage? For example, what does God do? What does God avoid? What does God anticipate? - Recall Sermon: “Not the Shorter Way: Following God Through the Long Road”
a. Which part of the sermon reshape your understanding of ‘longer roads’?
b. What struck you about the contrast between the crowd and the cloud? How do you discern the difference in your own life?
c. What part of the sermon challenged your assumptions about spiritual growth, formation, or timing? - Relate Personally: Your story in God’s long road
a. Where in your life right now do you feel like you are on the longer road? E.g. work, family, marriage, ministry, calling or health?
b. What “shorter way” do you wish God would take you on instead? And why does that route feel more attractive?
c. Share about a moment in your past when God’s detour turned out to be His protection?
d. What are the “bones of Joseph” in your life – the stories, memories, or symbols that remind you of God’s faithfulness?
e. What does the cloud (God’s presence) usually look like for you? - Commit to Action: Following the cloud this week
a. What is one area of your life where you need to stop resisting the long road and start trusting God’s timing?
b. What is one practical way you can follow the cloud, not the crowd this week?
c. What is one story of God’s faithfulness you will intentionally remember or retell this week?
d. What is one concrete step you will take to stay aware of God’s presence in your daily routine?
