The Scenic Route Nobody Wants

Series: Detours and Destinations – Traveling with God Through Life’s Twists and Turns

Text: Exodus 13:17–22 Theme: God sometimes leads us the long way around to grow our faith and guard our hearts. Big Idea: What feels like a delay is often God's way of preparing us for what's next. Opening Line: A morning of worship, a lifetime of grace.

"I don't know if we each have a destiny, or if we're all just floatin’ around accidental-like on a breeze. But I think maybe it’s both." — Forrest Gump

🎯 Why it fits your sermon:

This quote echoes the tension we feel between wanting control over our journey and learning to trust God’s guidance—even when it’s unpredictable or slow. It opens the door to talk about how, unlike Forrest’s accidental breeze, God’s detours are never random—they are intentional, protective, and purposeful.

You might follow it up with something like:

“Forrest wasn’t sure if life was all up to chance or fate—but as followers of Christ, we know we’re not just floating. We’re being led. Even when God leads us the long way, He’s never unsure. His path is not random—it’s redemptive.”

✝️ Introduction: When the Direct Route is Denied

We love shortcuts. Fast food, fast lanes, same-day shipping, GPS apps that promise to save us 3 minutes with a quick detour through a back road.

But what happens when God leads us the long way around?

There are moments in life when we feel like we’re making no progress. Like we’ve been rerouted away from the obvious answer. Maybe it’s a job that fell through, a relationship that ended, a delay in healing or breakthrough. And we ask God: Why not the faster path?

Let’s look at Exodus 13 and discover why God sometimes chooses the scenic route—not to frustrate us, but to form us.

Why didn’t the Israelites take the shortcut out of Egypt? Because even God didn’t trust their GPS—He knew they’d “recalculate” every time something got tough!

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Bonus follow-up line you can say from the pulpit:

“Let’s be honest—some of us would’ve tried to tell God, ‘There’s a faster route, Lord—just hang a left at the Red Sea!’ But thank God He doesn’t lead us the fastest way—He leads us the best way.”

📖 Exposition: Exodus 13:17–22 – God’s Unexpected Guidance

1. God Reroutes for Our Good (v.17)

“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.”

Did you catch that? Though that was shorter. The shortest route from Egypt to the Promised Land was along the coast—about 10 days' journey. But God doesn’t take them that way.

Why? Because God saw what they couldn’t.

“God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’”

Point: God’s detour wasn’t punishment—it was protection.

Application: What you call delay, God may be calling mercy.

“Faith is trusting God even when you don’t understand His plan.” – Unknown (This can help convey the struggle and beauty of trusting God’s path when it doesn’t make sense.)

2. The Scenic Route Builds Strength (v.18)

“So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.”

They were “ready for battle” in name only. God knew they weren’t actually ready for what was ahead.

The longer journey would prepare them. Teach them. Humble them. The desert would become their classroom.

Illustration: A teenager might feel “ready” to drive alone, but the parent knows more time is needed. Similarly, God leads us not where we feel ready—but where He knows we’ll be made ready.

“The Christian life is not a sprint to the finish, but a long walk with God.” – Unknown (Great for discussing how the Israelites’ journey wasn’t a quick one, but a long walk with God, and how our faith journey reflects that.)

1. The Long Way Around

Why did Moses lead the Israelites in circles for 40 years? Because even then, men refused to stop and ask for directions!

🗣️ Follow-up: “And thankfully, God still led them with a cloud by day and fire by night—since they clearly weren’t using Google Maps.”

🕓 2. God’s Timing

Why did God create time? So we wouldn’t try to schedule Him!

🗣️ Follow-up: “Some of us treat God like a GPS—‘Please reroute to my preference, Lord.’ But He’s already written the perfect itinerary.”

🛣️ 3. The Scenic Route

What do you call a Christian who’s always in a hurry? A detour waiting to happen.

🗣️ Follow-up: “Sometimes God slows us down not to frustrate us—but to fix us.”

🚙 4. The Spiritual GPS

What happens when a Christian ignores God's GPS? ‘Make a U-turn as soon as possible.’ …That’s called repentance. 🙃

🗣️ Follow-up: “Praise God that when we go the wrong way, His grace doesn’t crash—it reroutes us.”

3. Remembering the Promise (v.19)

“Moses took the bones of Joseph with him…”

This detail might seem random, but it’s deeply meaningful. Joseph had prophesied that God would deliver them—and asked them to carry his bones to the Promised Land.

Even as they take the long road, they carry a reminder of God’s faithfulness.

Application: When the journey gets long, don’t forget what God has already promised and done.

Question: What "bones" of promise are you carrying that remind you this isn’t the end?

“In the wilderness, you will be changed, you will learn to trust, you will discover that you are not alone.” – Unknown (Reflects the transformation that happens in the desert and how God uses challenging times to grow us.)

4. God’s Presence Is in the Detour (vv.20–22)

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud... by night in a pillar of fire… so they could travel by day or night.”

Even on the long road, God was with them—visible, powerful, faithful.

The presence of God didn’t wait for them in the Promised Land. He walked with them every mile of the detour.

Point: The scenic route isn’t about slowness—it’s about closeness. If God is with you in the detour, then you're not lost—you’re led.

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey that matters.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson (This can be used to highlight how the path we walk with God is just as important, if not more, than where we are headed.)

🛑 Conclusion: Trust the Long Road

Here’s the truth: if we had drawn our own maps for life, they would’ve been straight, smooth, and fast.

But God leads us with purpose, not with shortcuts. He sees what’s ahead. He knows what we’re not ready for. He knows what we need to learn.

The scenic route isn’t a mistake. It’s where faith matures, idols die, and dependence grows.

So if you’re on a stretch of road that feels slow, don’t despair. You’re in good company—with Moses, Israel, and the very presence of God.

🚧 1. God’s Rerouting

“God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter.” (v.17)

Why do you think we tend to value the shortest, fastest path in life?

Can you think of a time when God's rerouting felt frustrating in the moment, but wise in hindsight?

What might God be protecting you from that you can't see right now?

🌵 2. Learning in the Desert

“So God led the people around by the desert road…” (v.18)

What are the hardest parts about being in a “desert season”?

How might God be using this slow season to teach or form you?

Is there something you’re rushing that God is calling you to walk through slowly?

⚰️ 3. Carrying the Promise

“Moses took the bones of Joseph with him…” (v.19)

What promises of God do you need to hold onto more tightly right now?

How does remembering past faithfulness help us trust future guidance?

What symbolic “bones” from your spiritual journey are worth carrying?

🔥 4. Following His Presence

“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud… by night in a pillar of fire.” (v.21)

What does it mean to follow God's presence today—not just His plan?

Have you ever followed your own logic when God was leading differently?

In what practical ways can you become more sensitive to His guidance?

🕯 5. Trusting What You Can't See

“Neither the pillar of cloud… nor the pillar of fire… left its place…” (v.22)

How do you respond when you feel like you're in a holding pattern with God?

What reassures you that God is still present even when the path isn’t clear?

Are you more focused on the destination or the transformation happening along the way?

🙏 Invitation

Maybe you’ve been asking, Why is this taking so long? Maybe you’ve felt forgotten, frustrated, or stalled.

God’s not ignoring you—He’s protecting you. He’s not delaying your life—He’s developing your faith.

Will you trust Him, even on the scenic route?

Songs of Trust in God’s Timing and Direction

“Trust in You” – Lauren Daigle Key lyric: “When You don't move the mountains I'm needing You to move... I will trust in You.”

“Way Maker” – Leeland / Sinach Key lyric: “Even when I don't see it, You're working... You never stop working.”

“Sovereign Over Us” – Aaron Keyes Key lyric: “Even what the enemy means for evil, You turn it for our good.”

“Your Plans Are Still to Prosper” – Shane & Shane (Based on Sovereign Over Us; great for acoustic or reflective settings.)

🔥 Songs About God’s Presence on the Journey

“Lead Me to the Cross” – Hillsong Worship Key lyric: “Everything I once held dear, I count it all as loss.”

“Cloud by Day” – Lindy Cofer / Circuit Riders Key lyric: “You're the fire by night, the cloud by day... leading me to the promised land.”

“Shepherd” – Amanda Cook Key lyric: “In the process, in the waiting, You're making melodies over me.”

“I Will Follow” – Chris Tomlin Key lyric: “Where You go, I’ll go; where You stay, I’ll stay.”

🌾 Songs of Desert Seasons and God’s Faithfulness

“Desert Song” – Hillsong UNITED Key lyric: “This is my prayer in the desert when all that’s within me feels dry.”

“Yes and Amen” – Housefires Key lyric: “All Your promises are yes and amen.”

“Goodness of God” – Bethel Music / Jenn Johnson Key lyric: “All my life You have been faithful… You lead me through the fire.”