August 10, 2013 (Jeremiah 5-6; John 12)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.” But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!” Jeremiah 6:16 NLT
Observation: Israel had completely forsaken God and His standards for living. From the least to the greatest their lives were ruled by greed, they were never satisfied or content. Even the prophets and priest were frauds offering superficial treatments for the people’s mortal wounds. They offered false assurances of peace, while God’s true prophets were proclaiming a dreadful time of great devastation. Were these phony priest and prophets ashamed of their disgusting actions? Not at all, they didn’t even blush! Fear of the Lord had been forsaken by the ones responsible for leading the people spiritually. While they were proclaiming a peaceful path, void of any correction only consisting of positive wishes, the Lord said, “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Application: The recording of this historical event seems all too much like Déjà vu. We live in a time of obsession where greed, and the desire for more, rules the people. Modern day spiritual leaders have become obsessed with earthly material things and offer the same superficial solutions for the mortal wounds of the people. They sell hundreds of thousands of books each year encouraging people to experience God in a new way. Be your best wealthily self today, why wait! And if a true servant of God suggests we turn back to the old paths and walk in them, we are laughed at, just as Jeremiah was. We have ignored God and rejected His tested and proven way of living that leads to real peace and joy. We have forsaken God and His standards just as the nation of Israel did. The consequences for us will be the same. The old paths are not an old outdated way; they are God’s path, and the way! Stop at the crossroads and look around!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the old paths! Thank You for making a way for us to walk that indeed leads to Your pleasure and our peace. Set my feet on the old pathway that has been tested and proven. Direct my thoughts and actions to Your ways. Open my deaf ears and blinded eyes. Show me Your way! Thank You for Your mercy and grace that provide and protect me every day, in Jesus name, Amen!