“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. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.”
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭13:17-18‬ ‭ESV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/exo.13.17-18.esv

All,

This stands out because Moses says, “God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near.”  Does God’s direction seem to defy common sense sometimes?  He obviously knows far more than we and those are the moments that help build our faith. We can be assured that He knows what’s best and we need to continually remind ourselves of His promises. Please pray that we and our friends trust God even when it’s a difficult path. Please pray for Phil’s group.