A BENT ROAD
"17 Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” 18 So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt." Exodus 13:17-18.
If Moses had looked at a map or a GPS as he was leading the people out of Egypt, he would have realized that the shortest route from Egypt to the Promised Land is a straight route through Gaza. A basic principle of geometry even agrees that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But for the children of Israel it wasn't always so! Rather than go through a straight path, God led them into the desert. The route that was the shortest and most direct was ignored. What could have been a straight path ended up being a rocky one. It might not have been the easiest but it was God's best.
"8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:8-9.
Apostle Paul and his missionary team Paul wanted to preach the gospel in the provinces of Asia Minor (modern-day western Turkey) and Bithynia (present-day northern Turkey); however, God redirected them to Troas. As they waited in Troas, Paul received a vision of Macedonia. The ancient Macedonia Kingdom is made up of present day Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and North Macedonia. Paul and his team planted several churches in Macedonia. God closed the doors of opportunities for them to preach the Word in Turkey so that they might take the Gospel into Europe.
The path of life may not be exactly as you had intended it. But it is as God has planned it.
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah." 1 Samuel 16:13.
Sacred oil was poured over young David to testify to his Kingship. However, his road to the palace was not an easy one! David experienced a bend in the road. He was anointed to be King yet he became a servant in the palace of Saul. Despite killing Goliath, he became a fugitive. His journey to the throne was filled with battles, years hiding in caves and wilderness, times of feigned insanity, tragedy and disappointments. Yet he endured it all. David endured the bend in the road as God prepared him for the throne. Much of the Book of Psalms was written as a result of his sufferings, betrayals and triumphs.
God has a purpose for you, too. But, don't expect everything to go smoothly! That you've received a prophecy does not mean you'll get it overnight. You have to trust that God has the best plan, even when you do not know the details.
Just like David, the story of Joseph is filled with many twists and turns. "5 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. 6 So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: 7 There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.” Genesis 37:5:7.
He was his father’s favourite son. As a token of his affection, Jacob gave him a coat of many colors. At a young age, Joseph had dreams of greatness and leadership. Just when everything looked like it was going on smoothly, it all fell apart. Joseph went from the comfort of his father’s house, to the pit, to Potiphar’s house, to prison, and finally to the palace. In all he was not bitter! Joseph endured the pain of betrayal, the separation from his father and Benjamin, the horror of slavery, the seduction and false accusation by Potiphar's wife, and the hopelessness he felt as his youth waste away in the prison.
"Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46:10. Because God knows our end from the beginning, we have nothing to be afraid of. We may not always like what we're going through, but we know God's in control and He'll sustain us.
A VESSEL IN THE MASTER'S HANDS:
"20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work." 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
God is a God of purpose! He has created you uniquely. There is no one else in the world like you, and therefore His plan is just for you! You have a divine assignment only you can accomplish. Your birth is not an accident! You were created on purpose, for a purpose, and living with a purpose. God knows the potential that you have and the great things you're yet to accomplish. As you attempt to follow His leading He'll guide you to His will. Proverbs 16:3. Even when things seem hopeless, we can trust that God is working out our lives for our ultimate benefit, and in that we can rest.
To live purposeful it’s wise to make plans and to pursue them. Making plans motivate us to keep going towards our goals. Often we have an idea of how we want our lives to turn out and what we want to do in the future, but these plans may not always line up with God’s plans. We make plans without acknowledging God. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9. In the end, His purpose triumphs.
WHAT IS A BENT ROAD?
God has a purpose for your life. But it may not happen overnight. You probably won’t get there by going in a straight line. Diversions are a part of God’s plan. He rarely takes us from point A to point B without a stop along the way. The journey is not one straight, smooth road after another; its full of peaks and valleys, crossroads, roadblocks and curves.
Sometimes life takes a bend.
We think we have a plan in place and are moving in one direction, only to run into an obstacle that diverts our journey. Perhaps all seems to be going smoothly until you suddenly encounter a bump on the way. This bump forces you to divert onto unfamiliar paths. The bump may be an illness, a job loss, family issue, or other life-altering event. When you're on a bent road it is difficult to see any good coming from the situation. Bent roads are often rough, uncertain. inconvenient, longer, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful. A bent road is a route that is different from the ordinary; its often used when the direct route cannot be accessed. Bent roads keep us from our original route. They are signs letting you know the road ahead is no longer available. A bent road is a divine interruption intended to take you to a better path. It is a distractions from the intended path. Bent roads are things that take us from the route that we had determined to use to get to where we had hoped to go. They are deviation from a set course or goal. A bend in the road is used when a construction is going on.
You may be forced to take a bend in the road when God's still doing a repair work in your life. He allows the road to be bent because He intends on refining us and preparing us for our place of promise. There is a season of preparation and a season of celebration. Preparation matures, shapes and molds you into who God has called you to be. You had to go through a test so you would be prepared for the next testimony. Your preparation is your pruning season. It is the season where God shapes your character in the desert in other to prepare you for a greater purpose. Habakkuk 2:3. The tough times you're facing is to strengthen you in order to prepare for impactful ministry. So keep your hands clean and your heart pure. Focus on God and His Word; He’ll lead you to your 'promise land'. A bent road does not mean the end of the road.
"5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. What must we do when we encounter a bend in the road?
1. Submit to the will of God.
2. Developed a deeper relationship with God.
It can be easy in times like these to let go of your relationship with God. You might want to blame Him. But don't let a bend in the road destroy your relationship with God. Choose to stay close to God and rely on Him. Avoid sin; stand firm.
3. Trust and look up to God.
Jesus is your answer! He understands what you’re going through. He can be your anchor in the midst of the storms. You’re not alone. You’ve got Jesus on your side. Don’t forget to lean on Him in both good times and in difficult times. "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night." Exodus 13:21. Don’t look for shortcuts, keep your eyes on Jesus.
4. Pray and fast. 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
5. Always give thanks to God.
6. Spend quality time in thanksgiving, praise and worship.
7. Read and Meditate on the Word of God.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105. God does not leave us to stumble around in the dark. The Bible is God’s Road Map. Turn to the Word daily, because it is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.
8. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
9. Don't be afraid.
Fear limits. Deuteronomy 31:7-8. God is with you wherever you go. You do not need to be afraid.
THE NARROW WAY:
"13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:13-14.
A narrow gate is harder to pass through than a wide one! Only a few people can go through it at once. Following God means walking through the narrow gate. You can not just drift along with the crowd, choices have consequences. We must daily follow Jesus. He is the only way to God. “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6. Are you on that narrow road? Matthew 25:23. Pray this prayer today: Father, I believe You love me. The Bible says I can love You because You first loved me. I thank you for Your love. I come to You today, fill my heart in a greater way that You ever have before. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and love. Help me to grow in Your love and let me show Your love to people all around me. Thank You, Father, in Jesus name. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, Thank You that You have a perfect plan for my life, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, sometimes life seems so difficult and I can’t see ahead! Help me to seek You daily, in Jesus name.
3. Father, help me put my trust in You when my plans fail, in Jesus name.
4. O Lord, let your ultimate purpose for my life be fulfilled, in Jesus name.
5. Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayers.
