Ancient Paths

Once God spoke, as only He can, with comforting reassurance to His people, “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16 )

God doesn’t tell us to throw away our iPhones, or to become cave dwellers, or to communicate with smoke signals. He simply exhorts us to get our priorities straight, to take stock of who we are and why we are here at this particular juncture or decision point, to consider whose values influence us, to and to ponder the foundations of a “good” life. His principles undergird the moral universe and establish the paths of righteousness, justice, generosity, forgiveness, kindness, and love. These are more important than the cravings of mind and body.

However, folly is a real danger because of our amazing tendency to choose half truths and delusions. We daily stand at the crossroads of weaknesses and temptations, of ethical dilemmas, and of compromised integrity. We confuse wants with rights and freedoms; so we become enslaved to some debilitating consequences of selfishness which may cause anxiety, depression, disappointment, disillusionment, anger, cynicism, violence, and addictions.

So, when God’s voice cuts in, we should take notice! His advice has always been contemporary, crucial, true, and eternal. His moral principles are indelibly buried in our social conscience. Jesus’ summary of the ancient path was : Love God with everything you have, with heart, soul, mind and strength. Then follow God’s directions which will guarantee a healthy spirit of love for fellow sojourners (Matthew 12:29-31). Because we are imperfect in our attempts to fulfill those requirements, we must rely upon the perfection of Christ who redeems us and gives us his righteousness when we believe in his selfless sacrifice for us. God wants to take care of our souls!

He made it clear that there is both good reason and great benefit to choosing His ancient, well planned, enduring path: “You will find rest for your souls.” Jesus made that very same promise when he said, “Come unto me all you who labor, and I will give you rest” (John 14:6) ( Matthew 11:28). W hen we trust his saving work on our behalf and walk with him in the ancient prescription of loving God and our neighbor, we will find the good ways, and God’s peace will be upon us.