Thus says the Lord: “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”. But they said, “We will not walk in it.” Jeremiah 6:18 ESV

Just because something is ancient, or seemingly old-fashioned, doesn’t necessarily mean it is outdated and worthless. Nor does it mean that it doesn’t apply to current day situations or peoples.

Wisdom and truth are timeless. In Jeremiah 6:18, the Lord admonishes His people to stand by the roads and look. When we stand by a road and look, we are trying to discern where that road is going, whether or not it will take us in a good direction, and if it is maneuverable.

In this verse, the Lord continues to instruct His people to “ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is”.

We may wonder what this means for us today. What ancient paths have we, as God’s people, abandoned? What roads have we taken instead of the ancient paths?

Has the path of holiness become old-fashioned, or the path of practicing daily spiritual disciplines, such as prayer and daily Bible reading become unnecessary? Has being fervent in your faith and Christian walk become fanatical, or has telling others about God’s love become intrusive and socially unacceptable?

The truth of God’s Word is still relevant to us today.

The Lord said to not only ask for the ancient paths but to also “walk in it, and find rest for your souls”. We can choose, just as the people in Jeremiah’s day blatantly answered, “We will not walk in it.” Or, we can listen to the Lord and find rest for our souls.

We are living in a time of great unrest in our world—a time that is affecting all of us in one way or another. While we desire to find peace and rest for our souls, many around us have taken the stance of those in Jeremiah’s day, answering, “We will not walk in it”.

I am thankful for the peace we have in Christ and for God’s Living Word. May we search our hearts and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is—and walk in it.

Blessings,

Stephanie Murphy