day no. 14,354: efficacy over efficiency

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 near. For God said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.” 18 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.

God does not consider efficiency a higher law than efficacy. There is no reason to think that God likes being inefficient, but when efficacy clashes with efficiency, He chooses the way that produces the results He desires. There are quicker ways to do things for sure, but God's not in a hurry and cares more about the quality of the product He is making than the quantity of time that process requires.

Also, see here that God is protecting His people from fleeing from battle. We see in 18 that they were equipped for battle, but they weren't ready for battle yet. They had everything they needed in terms of equipment, but they lacked what they needed in terms on character. So too, many young Christians, having been given everything in Christ, are in possession of all that they need to face the enemy except the peace of their inner man to stay the course. God is merciful in every way - from His work of salvation to His work of sanctification.