Post by Les on Feb 21, 2024 9:46:23 GMT -5
Which Way? God's Way By: Anne Le Tissier
Click here for the Audio Message
Stand at the crossroads and look . . .ask where the good way is . . .and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Jeremiah 6:10-16
When I lived in Guernsey, I often got stuck behind the hire cars of tourists pausing to check directions at junctions. The island’s signposts were minimal, so visitors struggled to navigate the complex network of narrow lanes. In fact, this problem became so common that one resident, living by a junction, decided to have some fun. They constructed a four-way signpost: “This Way. That Way. Other Way. Wrong Way.”
Amusing as it was, it reminded me of Jeremiah’s stern warning. Ignoring God’s directions in favour of the wrong way inevitably has consequences. The Israelites had closed their ears to God’s Word, which was denouncing their worldly ways (Jeremiah 6:10). Even leaders ignored the spiritual decay and made false promises of peace (v. 14). But God spoke through His prophet Jeremiah, urging them to “ask for the ancient paths”—the “good” ways of God’s Word, tried and proved by their ancestors. For if they walked in these, they would “find rest for [their] souls” (v. 16).
God longs for us to know wholeness and wellbeing by choosing to live in yielded response to His life-giving words. Other attractive paths may beckon, but they are destined for heartache or difficulty. Whatever choice we face, we can pause at the crossroads of options and ask God for His Word to direct us in His good way. As we walk that path, a clear conscience and His reassuring presence will strengthen our souls.
Reflect & Pray
How has God guided your choices and responses in the past through His word? What options are you faced with today that you need His directions for?
Loving God, thank You that Your ways are the best directions for me to choose, even when the alternatives may appear more attractive. Please help me discern the guidance in Your Word that I need for today.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jeremiah, often called the “weeping prophet,” brought a depressing message to Israel: “Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people” (6:19). God would bring the consequences of Israel’s choices on them. Calamity was coming (v.15) because Israel had forgotten the path given in the past (v.16). Yet Jeremiah also offered words of hope: One day God would bring “the remnant” back to Israel and raise up a “Branch of righteousness” ( 23:3-8).
Our Daily Bread
Jeremiah 6:10-16
King James Version
10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord.
13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
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.
Click here for the Audio Message
Stand at the crossroads and look . . .ask where the good way is . . .and you will find rest for your souls.
Jeremiah 6:16
Today's Scripture & Insight :
Jeremiah 6:10-16
When I lived in Guernsey, I often got stuck behind the hire cars of tourists pausing to check directions at junctions. The island’s signposts were minimal, so visitors struggled to navigate the complex network of narrow lanes. In fact, this problem became so common that one resident, living by a junction, decided to have some fun. They constructed a four-way signpost: “This Way. That Way. Other Way. Wrong Way.”
Amusing as it was, it reminded me of Jeremiah’s stern warning. Ignoring God’s directions in favour of the wrong way inevitably has consequences. The Israelites had closed their ears to God’s Word, which was denouncing their worldly ways (Jeremiah 6:10). Even leaders ignored the spiritual decay and made false promises of peace (v. 14). But God spoke through His prophet Jeremiah, urging them to “ask for the ancient paths”—the “good” ways of God’s Word, tried and proved by their ancestors. For if they walked in these, they would “find rest for [their] souls” (v. 16).
God longs for us to know wholeness and wellbeing by choosing to live in yielded response to His life-giving words. Other attractive paths may beckon, but they are destined for heartache or difficulty. Whatever choice we face, we can pause at the crossroads of options and ask God for His Word to direct us in His good way. As we walk that path, a clear conscience and His reassuring presence will strengthen our souls.
Reflect & Pray
How has God guided your choices and responses in the past through His word? What options are you faced with today that you need His directions for?
Loving God, thank You that Your ways are the best directions for me to choose, even when the alternatives may appear more attractive. Please help me discern the guidance in Your Word that I need for today.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Jeremiah, often called the “weeping prophet,” brought a depressing message to Israel: “Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people” (6:19). God would bring the consequences of Israel’s choices on them. Calamity was coming (v.15) because Israel had forgotten the path given in the past (v.16). Yet Jeremiah also offered words of hope: One day God would bring “the remnant” back to Israel and raise up a “Branch of righteousness” ( 23:3-8).
Our Daily Bread
Jeremiah 6:10-16
King James Version
10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear is uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of the Lord is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it.
11 Therefore I am full of the fury of the Lord; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with him that is full of days.
12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, with their fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith the Lord.
13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace.
15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord.
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.