The Way Home

The prophet Jeremiah was called at age seven. His name meant “Yahweh hurls,” and indeed God did. His ministry extended over a period of about 50 years. Much of Jeremiah’s prophecy was about impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem, however, it always included a call for national repentance and the promise of possible restoration. Jeremiah offers some sound advice: “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)

This was not an encouragement to revert to old ways of doing things. It was an appeal to recover the successful principles that caused Israel to be a great nation in the past, and indeed they were.

Their dire circumstances left them in need of wisdom. One place they could find it was in the old paths, that is, to look to their history and forefathers, to learn from what God had done in and through them before.

Today, as then, old paths are not considered to be good paths. There is a tendency to disregard them simply because they are old. Old is out. New is in.

They were instructed to take a stand regarding the benefits and blessings of the past, meaning don’t simply blow them off as outdated.

They were to “see” their value. That means to look at what benefitted from them. An objective consideration of what those old ways achieved would reveal a positive result. As seen in the proper light they would be seen as the good way.

Finally, to benefit from such a review the old ways had to be walked in. That is figurative speech meaning they must be applied and followed.

America can greatly benefit by taking the same sequential steps today.

History revisionists are robbing us of potential blessings. In keeping us from knowing the precepts and principals that made America great, we are bereft of their inherent blessings.

To benefit from the old paths, God told them to walk in them, to actually obey and follow His word and work in history.

The response to God’s instruction through Jeremiah was a sad one, “We will not walk in it.” Thus, they forfeited their opportunity for renewed blessings. May we avoid their error.

The path to follow is defined in God’s holy word, the Bible. Start by reading the word and asking Him how to apply it in your life. Each time an instruction is given let your response be, “Yes, Lord, yes as you say so will I do.” Let your Bible reading and study help you to gain a better comprehension of His will. Don’t stop with simply knowing it, resolve to comply with it.

“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)

Sign here: “I will Lord____________________________.”