Does it seem like God is leading you the long way to the Promised Land? Have you waited and waited and not "arrived" yet at the place that God has promised? It may be taking so long because He knows you best and knows what's best for you.
Exodus 13:17-18 When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was nearer; for God thought, "If the people face war, they may change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people by the roundabout way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea...
The last part of verse 18 states, "The Israelites went up out of the land of Egypt prepared for battle." However, they must have not been ready to actually fight as God did not let them. Instead, He let them avoid the Philistines (which might have made them return to captivity, the opposite direction of the freedom God wanted them to have) and let them watch Him take out the Egyptian army with a wall of water at the Red Sea (Exodus 14).
Be prepared for battle, as that is how we should be (Ephesians 6:13). But also be prepared to see God move mightily, as the victory is ours and the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17:47, 2 Chronicles 20:17). And if you are discouraged that you have not arrived, put your eyes on God (2 Chronicles 20:12, Matthew 14:28-31), as there may be a lesson you need to learn now, such as joyfully accepting each day instead of complaining about the journey (1 Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 4:16). Or perhaps you need to be freed of your "captive mentality", like the Israelites, who kept thinking their slavery was better than their freedom (Exodus 14:10-12 is just one example)! God knows what's best for us, and will work all things together for good (Romans 8:28).
