you Trust his heart even when you
can't trace his hand." John Macduff, The Promised Land, 1859. And
he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a
city of habitation. Psalm 107, 7. God's thoughts
are not as our thoughts, neither are His ways as our ways. This
truth is strikingly exemplified in the manner in which He led
the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. We would have
chosen the way that was nearest and most direct, but God decided
otherwise. He led them round about through
the wilderness, and that for the space of forty years, and
not merely was it the most distant way, but it was the most dangerous
way as well. It was a land of deserts and
of pits, a land of drought and death, a land that no man passed
through and where no man dwelt. But, as strange as it appeared,
we are fully justified in saying that it was wisely arranged. Their long detainments, their
tiresome and circuitous wanderings, their fierce conflicts with the
Moabites and the Amalekites, The bitter waters which they
had to drink, and the fiery serpents with which they were stung, all
fulfilled the high purposes of him who is excellent in counsel,
as well as wonderful in working. However contrary his way might
have been to theirs, yet he led them forth by the right way,
that they might go to a city of habitation. And his dealings
with his people now are still as unusual, and as much opposed
to all their preconceived plans, as were his dealings with the
Israelites. He has crossed their own schemes
and thwarted their most fondly cherished purposes. He always
affects his own ends in his own way. Christian, what is your
duty? It is to cherish high thoughts
of God in all His inscrutable dealings towards you. It is to
trust His heart even when you can't trace His hand, believing
that all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, and to such
as keep His covenant and His testimonies. It is to follow
his guidance continually, for as he led his people of old with
the cloud by day, the pillared fire by night, so he has promised
to direct all your steps and preserve all your goings. It is to wait his time, for although
the way may appear long and tedious, yet remember All is well that
ends well, and what will the end be? And the ransomed of the
Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting
joy upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness,
and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.