Come Walk With Me (Part 3: Ask)
Jeremiah 6:16
Thus saith the Lord, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein.
Before I begin tonights TND, I wanted to say that I have enjoyed writing about Jeremiah 6:16 over the past few weeks. I have written a lot just about the first eleven words of this scripture. However, there is so much more I left out in order to keep things as short and concise as possible. Editing these devotionals has not been easy for me; because there is so much I want to share, but it is impossible to do so. Notwithstanding, I still feel that I have given my heart and I hope you were blessed in some way.
However, in case you have not read the previous weeks, please click on the hyperlinks to go to Part 1: Stand and Part 2: See. of this series.
Now on with tonight's TND.
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ASK
As we discussed in the previous weeks; we know that when we are at the crossroads of life, we are not to cower down, but we are to stand in spite of the trial that lies before us. We are to stand firm upon the word of God, hold to God's precepts, and take upon his armor. In addition to standing, we must open our eyes to see the trials and be willing to face it. Moreover, we should see that God has everything under control. After we stand to our feet and open our eyes, we only need to ask.
Now when we are at our crossroads, we may find ourself asking a lot of different things. Such as..
Why am I going through this?
Why do I feel so alone?
What do I do now?
How will make it?
How did I even get here?
Where can I go?
Who can help me?
Will I ever catch a break?
This list can go on, however, God told us to ask for one thing. He wants us to ask for the old paths.
A good example of an old path is a deer path in the woods. Even if you are not a hunter, it is easy to spot if you know what you are looking for. The path is generally clear of grass and undergrowth because animals are constantly walking the path. Generally, if you follow these paths you may find a water source, food source, or even an animal's home. Although it may not seem so at first, there are three things that a deer path has in common with the old paths that God wants us to ask for.
ASK FOR THE GOOD WAY
First, the ways are good to travel. The simple reason for this is because it is a path that has been used time and time again. The path is clear, there is little to trip over, there is good visibility, it is relatively safe to travel. The path provides a means to reach the destination of the traveler. In short, the path is a good way to get where you are going because it has been used before.
This is same for us spiritually. No matter where we are at in our lives, someone was there before. This person has walked path and cleared it for us to travel, and this person is Jesus.
Hebrews 4: 14-15
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Is your crossroad filled with depression? Christ was there, and was tempted like us and did not sin.
Is your crossroad filled with doubt? Christ was there, and was tempted like us and did not sin.
Is your crossroad filled with pain? Christ was there, and was tempted like us and did not sin.
Is your crossroad filled with death? Christ was there, and was tempted like us and did not sin.
Whatever your crossroad is filled with, Christ was there. He made the way on Calvary's Cross, and then he came back to find you. He is there now, with you, at the time of your need and all you need to do is ask.
JESUS WHERE IS THE OLD PATH IN WHICH YOU TROD?
JESUS WHERE SHALL I GO?
JESUS WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?
Just ask, and he will show you the good way.
ASK FOR THE WAY THAT LEADS TO REST
Not only is the deer path a good way to travel, but often times it leads to a place of rest. Such rest stops may include a small brook for the deer to drink from. The path may lead to a clearing where there is fresh clover leaf for the deer to eat. It may lead to a place were the deer may lay down safely to sleep out of the elements.
The old path that God wants us to ask for is the same. According to this scripture, if walk this old path we "shall find rest for [our] souls". It does not get any simpler than that. This old path is special because it will lead us to places that will supply our needs.
Psalms 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
God is telling us that there is no need for us to be weak. God wants us strong, he wants us to make it through. All we need to do is ask for the path that leads to salvation and simply take it. There is no need to die from spiritual starvation and exhaustion. God has the table set, the food is cooking, and the bed is made. All you need to do is ask where to go.
ASK FOR THE WAY HOME
The last thing about the deer path is the most important. If you follow the deer path, and are patient, it can eventually lead you to the deer's home. There you might find it and maybe even a small family that is safe from storms and predators.
This old pathway in which God wants to ask for, was created by Christ. He has already traveled the path for us and has made it a good way for us to walk. So if we travel this old path, and are patient, it will eventually lead us to Christ's home in Heaven. There we will find Jesus and even our family that has gone before us. Once there we will be safe from the storms of life and from the predator of our soul who Satan.
I am reminded of the old Gospel hymnal "This World is Not My Home" written by Jim Reeves.
This world is not my home I'm just a-passing through My treasures are laid up Somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me From heaven's open door And I can't feel at home In this world anymore. Oh Lord, you know I have no friend like you If heaven's not my home Then Lord what will I do. The angels beckon me From heaven's open door And I can't feel at home In this world anymore.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
We know God wants us to stand when at the crossroads of our life. We know God wants us to open our eyes and see our surroundings and that he has everything under control. We also know he wants to us to ask for the old paths. We even know where those old paths lead to.
However, the question is: What actually are the old paths and what do we do once we know how to find them?
Good Lord willing this is what will discuss next week as we conclude this series. Again, thank you for joining me and as always leave a comment below.
