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 to think and pray, and we have evaluated the situation with courage and wisdom, and we have sought guidance from timeless truth … we must act. We must step up and do what needs to be done. All the thinking, evaluating, and praying and bible study in the world means nothing if we do not walk in the truth.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves,” says James 1:22. It is our responsibility not just to know the principles and truth of scripture, but to do them. The bible doesn’t give suggestions. It gives commands.
In John 14.15 Jesus said, “If you love me keep my commandments.”
As we face the situations of life and work, we are to walk according to the principles and truth the Lord has given to us. Multiple times in Ephesians the apostle admonishes us to walk in obedience. The message is clear: Don’t just talk, walk!!
Jeremiah tells us what happens when we walk according to the ancient paths: “You will find rest for your souls.” God’s truth is the way of wisdom. This is how to navigate through life. This is the only source of true peace and success.
However—and this is heartbreaking—when you read the entire passage of Jeremiah 6, the people of Israel rejected the Lord’s commands. They openly defied the Lord and said, “We will not walk according to your standards.” Here is the whole passage:
“Thus says the Lord: Stop at the crossroads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’ Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what will happen to them. Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people, the fruit of their devices, because they have not paid attention to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.” (Jeremiah 6.16-19)
There are wonderful blessings for responding in obedience to God’s truth, but there are also dire consequences for rejecting his truth. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts that are quick to obey the words of our God and Savior.
