Jeremiah 6.16
“Thus says the Lord: Stop at the crossroads and look around you. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it. You will find rest for your souls.”
Ephesians 5:15-16
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Once we have stopped and looked carefully at the situation and ourselves, the Lord tells us to “ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is.”
This is prayer and study of scripture. This is seeking insight from wise, godly people. This is the humility to acknowledge that there are important things about the situation that you do not see and insights you have not thought of.
By telling us to “ask for the ancient paths,” the Lord is directing us to seek timeless truth. He is instructing us to ask, What does the Word of God say about situations like this?
“Ancient” in this verse doesn’t mean old; it means timeless. Study the scripture. What does the bible say? Talk to spiritually wise people. What have they learned about situations like this? Pray and ask God for wisdom and insight into these kind of situations.
Scripture tells us to ask. Matthew 7.7: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
Keep in mind that there are conditions for asking and receiving. God is not a cosmic vending machine who dispenses whatever we want in response to whatever we ask. Motives matter. What are you seeking and why? What door are you knocking on and why? What are you asking for and why?
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4.3)
Note that “ask” follows “look carefully.” If you see a situation with clarity and courage, if you have situational awareness and self-awareness, if you see a situation through a Christ-centered lens, then your motive for “asking for the ancient paths” will be to solve problems, achieve goals, serve others, and please God.
In fact, this passage is an extension and further explanation of Ephesians 5:10 which says, “...and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.” Jesus said it very clearly and simply in the Sermon on the Mount: Seek first the kingdom of God.
But if you look at a situation through a self-centered lens and then ask the Lord for wisdom and guidance, what you are really doing is seeking to please yourself, not God. I am greatly concerned that this is how many people—sometimes many Christians—approach life today.
As we approach the situations of life and work, let’s not be foolish. Let’s not be self-centered. Stop and look, see the situation through the lens of the love and lordship of Christ, and seek first the kingdom. Know and follow the will of God.
“Thus says the Lord: Stop at the crossroads and look around you. Ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it. You will find rest for your souls.”
