RTW July 31
At The Crossroads
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
My Takeaways
Something Old
Don’t reject the Word. (Jeremiah 6:19b)
Something New
Crossroads: a point at which a vital decision must be made.
Stop.
Look around. Ra ah (to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider)
Ask for the old godly way. (Urged to follow the Mosaic Law
Walk in it. (walk… one foot in front of another alternatively)
Find rest for your souls.
the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep
refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor
relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs
a period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquility
mental or spiritual calm
Something to Do
Walk in it.
We say, “What’s wrong with God’s people? How can they make the wrong choice at the crossroads? How can they reject God and the rest He offers?”
And yet I am also God’s people and I often find myself choosing the “wrong path” at a daily crossroad, like the path of harsh words or an attitude of judgement. I am so grateful that we have the gift of Jesus – the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness – when we turn back to God after making a wrong choice!
I love Wendy’s statement, “Choose the right road and we can find rest even in the midst of the mess.” So true!
When I’m at a daily “crossroad” I have learned that if I stop and take a deep breath, then I can respond rather than react in the situation. That breath, that space, allows me to get in touch with the Holy Spirit that is in me, even for a brief moment. Then I am more likely to choose the right path, the godly way. Then I can experience rest in the midst of my mess!
Oh darena I could have written this myself! Thank you!
My Takeaways: Stop, Look and Listen!
Something Old: Jeremiah continues his pleas. I love the verse that Wendy picked out for us to focus on today. Jeremiah 6:16 – 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!’” I love this verse! I have a choice to make everyday as I stand in the crossroads of where the world would have me go and where God would have me go. Too often I take the worldly path and not the ancient path. It takes effort to stay on the ancient path. The only way this happens for me is when I stop and ask in prayer where the Good Way is and when I listen to what the Good Book says. Then, I know, I have no choice but to walk the Old Godly Way. It’s then when I receive the benefit of finding peace and rest for my soul! I like this a lot! Thanks Wendy for bringing this knowledge back into prospective.
Something New: Josiah, a King who obeyed God consistently. When the Book of Law was found and read to him, he must have been shocked, frightened, and humbled. It didn’t take him long to clean house. He responded with repentance. Of course he could not have responded without knowing the law. How blessed I am to have the Bible today. Read Thru the Word with Wendy gives me the opportunity to read God’s Word. But the real test is not reading through the Bible in a year, but following through on what I read. Dusty Bibles lead to a dirty life, but a read Bible without obedience leads to a deadly life. I cannot ignore the instructions of God’s Word without expecting the penalty for doing so. With obedience there is blessing, but, with defiance and disobedience, there are consequences. I want to be a Josiah as I read the Bible. I want to respond with repentance and humility and promise myself to follow and live out God’s Ways.
Something to Do: Pray that as I read thru the word God will show me his ways and I will be able to do His will.