I have been reading through the Bible chronologically since the start of the new year—Genesis, then Job, and onto Exodus. As in years past, when taking on scripture in its entirety, I found myself stuck in the story of Israel coming out of bondage, headed towards their Promised Land.
You likely know the story. Israel transitions to Egypt during a time of famine. In the beginning, the move was to their advantage. In Egypt, they had adequate food to sustain themselves. In fact, God blessed His people, and they flourished. However, when a new Pharaoh came to power, he did not like the strength of these people. He feared that if not weakened, they could overthrow his rule. So, he decided to enslave them.
Where they once thrived, they now found themselves oppressed and controlled. But God had a plan and a promise for Israel, and through one man, Moses, and a series of ordained events, He brought them out of Egypt, headed to the Promised Land.
The Reality of the Journey
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if life were like a Disney fairy tale? If it were, then the Israelites would have left Egypt, exhausted and challenged, but headed towards a land of milk and honey. The journey would be quick:
Goodbye, persecution.
Hello, prosperity.
Farewell, brutality.
Welcome to your bed of roses.
But neither this biblical narrative nor our own stories of pain and promise unfold in a seamless and effortless fashion.
For the Israelites, their journey took forty years. It was filled with doubt, disobedience, and the consequences of their lack of faith. They grumbled. They complained. And sadly, many never reached the land of promise.
The Challenge of the In-Between
That’s where I find the trek to be the toughest.
I often find myself in a tight spot of surrender, where God imparts hope and anticipation for all that is to come. He encourages me to take that first step toward His promises.
But while the first step is often full of excitement, the real challenge comes in the in-between—
I’m not where I was, but I’m still not where He promised I’d be.I’m en route. I’m moving forward, but my expectations of how the journey would go do not match the reality of my travel.
God's Role in the Journey
Exodus 13 reminds us:
"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For God said, ‘Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.’ But God led the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea."
This passage reveals how God leads us from promise extended to promise experienced. His role in our journey includes:
Protection – He took the Israelites the long way to spare them from battles they weren’t ready for.
Provision – He parted the Red Sea and destroyed their enemies.
Presence – He led them by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.
"The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people."
Our Role in the Journey
While God protects, provides, and remains present, our role is simple:
Proceed.
Put one foot in front of the other.
Move forward as He directs.
When God speaks a promise, it is tempting to expect immediate fulfillment. However, more often than not, He calls us to a journey.
If we’re not careful, we can become callous when the journey takes longer than expected. We can begin to doubt what He spoke, feeling as though the road ahead is never-ending.
Honestly, that’s where I often find myself—mistaking delays for His lack of love or my own inability to hear His voice. I grow weary, backtrack, and settle into complacency because the promise seems out of reach.
Holding Onto the Promise
But the story of Israel reminds me:
The God of Exodus is the same God I worship today.
His character is still one of protection, provision, and presence.
His route is intentional, not accidental.
His promise is clear and real.
And He is preparing me for what His promised plans will require of me.
He’s laid out the map and set the odometer, but it’s my responsibility to proceed.
God’s promises for my family, my business, and my legacy are worth pressing forward for—
Each day.
One foot in front of the other.
His presence.
My progress.
That’s how I will reach His Promised Land.
Well written and very encouraging!
Indeed, this certainly brings backs memories and still helps provide clarity as my journey continues!
Sarah, I may be partial I admit but this is beautifully written. Congratulations!