OLD PATHS AND GOOD WAY

“STAND in the WAYS and SEE, and ASK for the OLD PATHS, where the GOOD WAY is, and WALK IN IT; then you will find REST for your souls”– Jeremiah 6:16

God’s Ways are the OLD PATHS and GOOD WAY: “Thus says the LORD, “STAND in the WAYS and SEE, and ASK for the OLD PATHS, where the GOOD WAY is, and WALK IN IT; then you will find REST for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it’ (Jer.6:16). Jeremiah ministered to Israel in the days of deep spiritual wickedness. The people had sinned against God to the point where He was ready to give them up into captivity, which they eventually went into in just a few years. Yet, even while they perched on the edge of judgment, the Lord desired to see them return to Him.

This verse portrays the image of a traveller who came to a fork in the road, had the opportunity to go anyway he desired, but was counselled to ask for the “old paths…the good way” and to walk in it. Instead of travelling blindly, he was to stop and ask directions. Many are too proud to pause and ask; hence they waste valuable time meandering and missing their way. God wants His people to travel the right path in all dimensions of life and destiny; a path that will lead us in His direction. This word of correction spoken to the Jews several centuries ago is worthy lesson for today’s Church and believers. There is always a right path and a wrong path. We must be sure we are on the path that God has ordained and blessed, and that honours Him. Here, we see: a requirement, reward, and refusal.

The Requirement: God commanded His people not to allow themselves to be led astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day. Rather, they should remember the Patriarchs and heroes of Faith, who walked the path of obedience and holiness before the Lord, and seek the “ancient path.” They were to take the time to seek, find, and walk in that old, well-worn path of holiness. But Israel faced a problem people have faced since Eden – the dilemma of deception! Agents of darkness are leading multitudes off into Hell by changing the key road signs of the faith. Sceptics are throwing spanners of doubt into fundamental truths such as: Salvation through the Blood; Infallibility and Inspiration of the Scriptures; God’s Holiness; Fellowship of the saints; the Reality of Heaven and Hell; the Value of the human soul; and the Soon Return of Jesus.

God’s promised Reward to those who walk in His path and travel in His highway is that they’ll find REST for their souls. In His paths are sure blessings: (a) safe travelling knowing that the Lord guards the way; reaching destination via the safest, most peaceful manner possible; (b) arriving at the proper destination – in His Presence; and (c) having the deepest needs of our souls met! In contrast, those who fail to ask for the old paths will find themselves trapped in the ways of destruction and misery. Those who turn their backs on the right way will find that the way is difficult, doubtful, and without peace or safety.

Refusal to walk in the Lord’s Path could result in chastisement and destruction (vv.17-30). We live in a day when many are refusing to walk in the old paths, which they consider to be too narrow. The enemies are changing the signs, but the Lord knows the way and He has not changed (Heb.13:8). No matter the world’s enticements, God’s people must stand tall in the old way. We must not be ashamed of whom we are, but hold our heads high while walking in the way God has ordained, without apology or backing down.

The old way isn’t the popular way! It’s being abandoned daily by those who’re deceived that the world’s new offers are always better. They are abandoning the Bible truth, old songs of faith, and old time worship. Regardless of which signs the world changes, the Ancient Road remains unchanged! God will lead us above deception into Destiny fulfilment!