ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS

Jeremiah 6:16 (The Message) “God's message yet again: Go stand at the crossroads and look around.  Ask for directions to the old road, the tried-and-true road.  Then take it.  Discover the right route for your souls.  But they said, 'Nothing doing. We aren't going that way'”

In this verse, we're given the image of a traveler who came to a fork in the road. He had the opportunity to go anyway he desired, but God tells him to ask for "the old paths, where is the good way."   Instead of just traveling blindly on, this traveler was to stop and ask for directions.  God wants His people, today, to travel the right path – the old path.  He wants them on a path that will lead them in His direction.

While this word of correction was spoken to the Jews many years ago, there is a lesson in this verse for the modern church today. It is my opinion that God would still have His people to ask for the old paths. We must be sure we are walking the path which God has ordained, the one that He can bless, the one that honors Him

The command that God issued to His people was for them not to allow themselves to be lead astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day.  They were to look at men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and others who walked the path of obedience and holiness before the Lord and they were to seek that path for themselves.  God's command is that they not just go any way, but that they take the time to find the right path, that old, well-worn path that represents the best way.

So many in our day are leading millions off into Hell because they're changing some of the road signs of the faith.

Allow me to share a few of the road signs that are being changed in our day:

• Salvation Through The Blood - Heb. 9:22
• Belief In The Scriptures - 2 Tim. 3:16; Ps 119:89. (There are 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 41,173 verses; 774,746 words; 3,566,480 in the Bible. It is every ounce the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God)
• Love For The Church - Heb. 10:25  
• The Reality Of Heaven And Hell-John 14:1-3 
• Ps 9:17 “For the wicked shall be turned into hell...” 
• The Value Of The Human Soul - Mark 8:36-37 
• The Soon Return Of Jesus - I Thes 4:13-18
• The Holiness Of God -We try to bring God down to man's level. He is holy - Is 6:3; 1 Pet. 1:16
  

God's promise to those who walk in His paths is they will find rest for their souls.  That is, in His paths, we can be assured of three great truths.  We can be sure that we will arrive at the proper destination!   When we take God's highway, we can be sure that it will end in His presence!  We can travel in safety knowing that God is guarding our way.  Not only will we end up where we want to be, but we will get there in the safest, most peaceful manner possible.  We can know that while we are on God's path, the deepest needs of our soul will be met!  There will be fellowship with Him and joy in His presence at the end of the way!

However, those who fail to ask for the old paths will find themselves walking in the ways of destruction and misery.   When we turn our backs on the way God has chosen as the right way we will find that the way is difficult, there is no peace or safety and the destination is even in question.   There is a reward for those who will walk in God's pathway!

This text tells us that some decided that they would not walk in the Lord's will and in the Lord's path.  The results of their choice is chastisement and destruction (Vs 17-30).  There is a high price to pay for refusing to walk in God's will!

We are living in a day when many are refusing to walk in the old paths.  Either the old way is too narrow, or they feel that God just doesn't know what He is talking about

Yet, no matter what the world does, let us, the people of God, stand tall in the old way.  Let us be unashamed of being old fashioned Christians!  Let us hold our heads high and walk in the way God has ordained without apology and without backing down.  Let us be everything the Lord commanded us to be in His Word (1 Cor. 15:58).

The old way isn't the popular way!  It is being abandoned daily by people who have decided that new is better.   They are leaving the Bible, the old songs of the faith, old fashioned worship, praising the Lord, and old time Bible preaching.  Yet, God has not changed!! (Heb. 13:8).  I can find no room to change myself.  I think I'll ask for the old paths and walk in them.  How about you?   The enemies are changing the signs, but the Lord knows the way. Let's ask Him and He will lead

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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