Shoulder To Shoulder #1294 -- 6/6//22 ---- "Seeking The Ancient Paths (Pt 2) -- Desperate For Ancient Paths"
Posted by: lifeunlimited1010 <lifeunlimited1010@...>
We Fight the Good Fight of Faith"
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER is a weekly letter of encouragement
Bob has written since 1997, covering many topics selected to
motivate people to be strong students of the Word and courageous
witnesses of Jesus Christ. It is a personal letter of
encouragement to you, written solely to help "lift up
hands that hang down".
"The world
will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those
who watch them without doing anything." --
Albert Einstein
“There is a common, worldly kind
of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think
they have -- a cheap Christianity which offends nobody,
and requires no sacrifice, which costs nothing, -- and
is worth nothing.”
Shoulder To Shoulder #1294 -- 6/6//22
Title: "Seeking The Ancient Paths (Pt 2) -- Desperate For
Ancient Paths"
My Dear Friend and Fellow Kingdom Seeker:
Today is quite different from when I wrote to you in my last
letter. Last week it was 106 degrees at 141 feet altitude, and
today it is 78 degrees at 8,500 feet altitude. Last week it was
sand, desert, sagebrush, and Palo Verde, and today it's grass,
mountain streams, Ponderosa, and Aspen. So, welcome again to
the quaint mountain oasis of Greer, AZ.
Sunday we had our first service of the season and, once again
and even with our typical lower attendance for the season's
beginning, we still had five first-time visitors. In the six
years that Jo Ann and I have pastored this little
non-denominational chapel, we've had first-timers every Sunday
but seven. While we both love and appreciate our denominational
heritage, there is simply nothing like pastoring a congregation
representing numerous church backgrounds. We love it.
Unfortunately, we are still dealing here in the park with horrible
internet connections, so much of the time we have to pack up our
computers and head either to the Community Center (if it's not being
used) ore drive18 miles into town to the library and hope they have one
of their privacy rooms available. With the cost of gas the way it is
here in the area, we burn $8.00 to $9.00 worth of gas for the round
trip.
Since we are not on vacation, but are actually working with various
other churches, pastors, and ministries -- and especially trying to send
funds to eight different ministries in Ukraine -- the internet problem
can be very frustrating. There is a new service that has come into the
park that several people have signed up for, but there is a $200
installation feel plus a $60 per month user cost, and that is out of the
question for us.
In addition, for some unknown reason my e-mail service started refusing
to send my e-mails and then a day later, it stopped receiving. In that I
receive around 50 to 100 e-mails a day, that has been another
frustration and I've had to start using two back-up services, neither of
which have convenient menus, and neither of which have all the
different files already set up. Between the two issues, one might tend
to think that an "internet minion" has been sent to harass us. Maybe
it's because of the preaching theme I've chosen for the season. So,
maybe you can pray with us that the internet issue can be quickly
resolved.
The concept of "ancient paths" has captured my attention with unusual
interest. As I noted in my most recent letter, the actual term itself
appears only twice in the Bible, both in the Book of Jeremiah. As you
recall, "Restoring The Ancient Paths" is the theme the Lord gave
me for this year's preaching theme while here at Greer Chapel. I kicked
the series off last Sunday, "Desperate For Ancient Paths", and
contrasted Israel's condition with what we see in our own country. The
response was exceptionally positive from the people.
So, today, I'd like to pass some of those thoughts on to you as well. I'll do that right after you take a look at . . .
THIS 'N' THAT:
+ Sunday's Sermon: The sermon I preached on today's
subject last Sunday is available on the Greer Chapel YouTube channel.
In case you'd like to know my thoughts, you can check out the video at
Greer Chapel's YouTube channel --
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10MV0rrrM4JtVECC2G58xoE6_6q1VhbJm/view?usp=sharing.
Copies of most of my sermons since 2016 can also be found at the
Chapel's YouTube channel. A copy of the study guide (which follows the
general layout of this letter in abbreviated form) is also available at
https://ln2.sync.com/dl/f45380f10/v3j6b98b-6ucpcte5-v5sxt4xs-hctkcwax/view/doc/2542074837009.
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK:
> "Most people never pray until they have to. Most people
never make course corrections until they have to. Most people don't
return to God once they've left until they have to. God uses trials and
hardships to create the necessary 'have to's'. That usually means our
coming to a point of desperation after all our efforts have failed." -- T. Allen Robburts
> "Because of Judah’s stubborn refusal to return to the ancient
paths, God said He would bring about the promised disaster—not as
an arbitrary expression of anger but as the fruit of the people’s
plans." -- GotQuestions.org
> "Seldom does one abandon the Ancient Paths of God
intentionally. It is only when we are distracted from the intended
journey with all its beauty, with all its challenges, and with its
ultimate destination that we begin to notice secondary trails. Those
are dangerous trails that inevitably both take us on a detour that never
leads us back or to dead-end from which there is no way out." -- Anonymous
> "We all want progress, but if you’re on the wrong
road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right
road; in that case, the man who turns back soonest is the most
progressive.” -- C. S. Lewis
> "The ancient path is the narrow way that leads to life. It
is the path that leads away from the traditions of men and worldly
priorities to focus on the original, timeless patterns and truths of
God’s Word. Netivot Olam is the Hebrew for Ancient Paths. It was a cry
by the lamenting prophet Jeremiah to seek the way of their forefathers.
We hear that same cry in our day - the Spirit of God calling us to
return to His ways." -- Unknown
> “I looked up
the word ‘ancient’ and in Hebrew it didn’t just mean ‘old’ but also
‘timeless, eternal, perpetual, from before time, out of eternity’ and I
realised what was being spoken about here wasn’t just customs from a
past culture or ways of older people or ancestors. Ancient paths was
talking about universal principles of God from out of eternity that just
cause life to work." -- Craig Hill
> "The crises are undeniable,
visible at every turn: political and personal, economic and
environmental, spiritual and racial. We are reaping the collective
fruits of a centuries-long experiment in individualism, consumerism,
nationalism, and rationalism. Our collective choices have created a
world drowning in an ocean of challenges." -- Richard Dahlstrom
> "Living our lives and walking in the ways of the Lord should also be our first choice, and not our last resort." -- T. Allen Robburts
> "We must be careful of following after new things. We are
not to be “carried about by every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14).
Instead of being driven by our emotions, desires, peers, etc., we must
allow ourselves to be directed by God’s word. This is where the good way
is. If we want rest for our souls (salvation), we must heed God’s
warning and follow His path. Every other path leads to destruction. Let
us be content with the “ancient paths,” not longing for something new
and different, so we might live faithfully to the Lord." -- Unknown
DESPERATION IS ESSENTIAL:
Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
And I set watchmen over you, saying, 'Listen to the sound of the
trumpet!' But they said, 'We will not listen.' Therefore hear, O
nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth:
behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their plans,
because they have not listened to My words, and as for My law, they
have rejected it also. (Jer 6:16-18).
"For My people have forgotten Me, they burn incense to worthless gods and they have stumbled from their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths, not on a highway, Like an east wind I will scatter them Before the enemy; I will show them My back and not My face In the day of their calamity.
Then they said, 'Come and let us devise plans against Jeremiah. Surely
the law is not going to be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the sage,
nor the divine word to the prophet! Come on and let us strike at him
with our tongue, and let us give no heed to any of his words'." (Jer 18:15-16).
Few people would disagree that, even though life is typically filled
with challenges, -- it's "part of the package", you might say -- the
past two or three years
have been exceptionally difficult for many of us. I know it has
been for Jo Ann and me; perhaps it has been for you as well. When that
happens, we sometimes are prone to ask the question, “Why?”. It is a
common question on the minds of many
people these days.
As Christians, we often tie such hardships to the violation of
biblical principles, and look to God's Word to explain the
answer to "Why is this happening?" We also consider things that appear
to be God's judgment as the fulfillment of biblical prophecies. Doing
so is certainly reasonable, and to be expected of
anyone with even a cursory knowledge of Scripture.
In this case, any reasonable person will have to admit that
those sins that released God’s divine judgment on Israel in her
rebellion against Him are almost identical to the sins being
committed by us today; and it has been going on with increasing
measure for nearly 100 years, the tipping point having begun in
the 1960’s when we abandoned prayer and reading the Bible in
public schools.
Look at the specific things God says about Israel that led to His severe
retribution toward them. And consider that they are His very own
"called out ones", the "apple" of His eye, whom He "treated like His
bride" in the wilderness. What on earth could cause God to bring such
chastisement upon them?
Well, God revealed to young Jeremiah those specific things that offended God and broke His heart:
1. They refused to walk according to God's directives (6:16). -- ". . . they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
2. They refused to listen to God's correctives (6:17). -- ". . . they said, 'We will not listen.'
3. They disregarded God as their origin and their God (18:15). -- ". . .My people have forgotten Me, . . ."
4. They turned to idolatry, worshiping pagan gods (18:16). -- ". . . they burn incense to worthless gods . . ."
5. They stumbled and wandered along the world's ways because of those actions (18:17). ". . . and they have stumbled from their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths. . ."
It seems to me that there is something of a sequence to Israel's sins.
First, they declare the won't walk in God's "ancient paths". Then they
won't even listen to any admonitions of warnings. Doing so long enough,
and they simply forgot God. When they forget God, because man is
basically religious by nature, they then did what was to be expected --
they worshiped false gods. All of that led them to stumble and trip
over those "ancient paths" whenever they came across them again that
they ended up walking trails and paths that either take them into an
irretrievable dead end or over a cliff to death and destruction.
Craig Hill and his wife are people to whom God has given a ministry of
rebuilding the concept of the biblical organic family. It is called Family Foundations International,
and is designed through seminars and conferences to rebuild what he
calls, "The Family Mountain". The concepts taught in his seminars are
now being implemented in over 50 nations around the world.
A number of years ago while speaking at a conference in Queensland's Gold Coast in Australia, he stated, . . .
“I looked up the word ‘ancient’ and in Hebrew it didn’t just mean
‘old’ but also ‘timeless, eternal, perpetual, from before time, out of
eternity’ and I realised what was being spoken about here wasn’t just
customs from a past culture or ways of older people or ancestors.
Ancient paths was talking about universal principles of God from out of
eternity that just cause life to work."
God’s admonition to Israel is also to us, and is found in
verses 6:16. It should make us desperate for Him. In order to
fully comprehend the gravity of Israel’s
spiritual plight and God’s righteous judgment against them, you
rally need to read the entire book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah uses
several allegories to describe Israel's abandonment of the principles
God had given them. One of my favorites is in chapter two where he
contrasts stagnant leaky cisterns to fountains of living water.
Forsaking the spiritual good things of God is seldom an
instantaneous event, but more often than not a slow steady -- and often
unnoticed -- straying that isn't discovered until certain conditions of
life bring us up short. Since, then, we are urged to return to those
“ancient
paths”, what are some fundamentals we need to understand about
that command? I think the following are found in our text:
1. TAKE STOCK OF WHERE YOU ARE -- REALLY ARE.
"Stand by the
ways and see . . .”
The first important word is “Stand”. It is the
Hebrew word - amad. It is such a common word that it has a vast
multi-faceted meaning. It means, first, to “Stand up!" Get off of your
comfortable chair, get out of your bed, stand up, and look around at
where you are! It also means to ponder long, become
aware of why you are where you are. It means to take stock of
the situation. It means to be in
shock and alarmed over what you see – even being fearful and
stunned over what you see. It means that what you see before you and
behind you leaves you dumbfounded over how you got to that point.
Next we see the phrase, “By the Ways” (Heb –
derek). This is the call to examine the past pathways, the long journey
itself, and the experiences of life that have led you to such
crossroads. A word that comes to my mind is the word, "converge", where
a number of differing roads that don't necessarily seem related to each
other all of a sudden come to an intersection that has not only shows
you where you've been, but also how together they have brought you to
this point. Finally, the phrase indicates you have some options
available as to which route to take from here. Not all of them will
have the same end result -- but one will have the needed result.
Finally, we have the phrase, “And See” (Heb –
raah). It is time to take a good hard look. It's time to “behold,
consider, discern, understand, recognize, comprehend”. It's one thing
to "see", -- but it's another thing to really "SEE!". Hill explained
what really seeing looks like when he stated, . . .
"There are ancient Godly principles in the same vein as gravity
that govern family, marriage, finances, physical health, and every
aspect and every area of life. The further away we go from these
‘ancient paths’ the more difficult life becomes. What I’ve seen is as
we’ve gone along in our culture, we’ve gotten further and further and
further away from these ancient paths and it’s caused life to become
more and more difficult, more and more complicated, more and more
problems.”
Huh! You'd think he was talking about the United States,
wouldn't you! Or the American church, perhaps. The "unintended
consequences" may have been unintended, but they are still
consequences. I don't think I need to detail the things that on our
plates in this country just now -- putrid political corruption, a
runaway economy, commonplace deception and lying, acceptable immoral
conduct, . . . As far as I'm concerned, we've never been in worse
condition overall than we are now. It seems the spiritual and moral
malignancy has infested every area of our culture.
Yes, it's time to take a pause, . . . stand still, . . . and take stock
of where we are, how we got here, what it has cost us, the damage it has
done, -- and what we need to do about it.
2. YEARN TO RETURN:
“. . . and ask for the ancient
paths, . . .”
I realize that most people have no particular interest in deeper and
more detailed word studies of the Bible. That is really unfortunate.
Recognizing some basic principles of grammar will always be beneficial
in increased understanding. It will help discern between opinion and
fact. It will help separate out emotional reaction from spiritual
response.
When studying the Bible, it is wise to remember that the Hebrew and
Greek languages are often more difficult to understand, primarily
because each letter of the alphabet and each word used are usually more
far-reaching and inclusive than the English language is. This is the
primary reason I love doing such studies, even though I have been
appalled at times of just how little I actually understood about a verse
or statement. This is also why I highly recommend the Amplified Bible translation, along with a basic Concordance or Bible Dictionary. These four words illustrate my point.
First, we look at two simple words, “And Ask”.
For you and me, it simply means that if we have a question or need
permission for something, we "just ask". Pretty simple. But, in
scripture the words mean much more than first meets the eye. In Hebrew
the word is "shaal" and means not only to“inquire", but also to "beg"
and to "implore”.
We use three different words to describe what one Hebrew word means. If
we were to use the typical word, "ask", we would entirely miss the
intensity and urgency of what this particular scripture is trying to say
to us. It would leave us with merely an optional suggestion to ask --
almost with mere casual curiosity -- to find and possibly go back to
those old-fashioned principles and pathways of life.
However, if we understand what God was truly saying to Israel, we see
the grave urgency of His plea to His people -- "implore!" Plead!"
"Beg!" -- for those sacred and secure pathways.
Do you get what I'm trying to express? Sometimes I'm not very good at
it. This "asking" is something that comes from a sense or danger and
urgency -- as if God is saying, "You've gone almost too far, and this is
your opportunity!". And that's exactly what He is saying.
Next is the word "Ancient” (Heb --
o-lawm', o-lawm'). This word really blows my mind as I think about it.
For you and me, we normally think "ancient" simply means, "old . . .
REALLY old". But, in the Hebrew language, it indicates far more. It
spans multi-generational, even multi-century eras of time, for the word
actually means, “from unseen infinity past”, it means something that is
“timeless” or “eternal” both in the past and into the future.
It is one of the same words used to describe the very nature of God --
He is infinite; He is timeless; He is eternal. So, it should come as no
surprise that since these ancient paths are those that He designed and
put in place, they, too, would be infinite, timeless, and eternal.
Finally, let's look at the word "Paths”
(Heb – nethibah). When I think of paths, I envision many different
scenes, but three of my favorites are those through lush forests, up
into mountain ranges, and along waterways. One of my fondest memories
is of a trip we took to Byske, Sweden, to help a couple of our Farsi
ministry leaders minister to some Farsi speaking refugees who had been
place in this little town about 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
On numerous occasions our Farsi leader, Farsheed, Jo Ann and I would
walk along the Byskealyen River surrounded by September's autumn colors
with the sounds of the flowing river in our ears.
In our language, the word "path" can mean anything from a narrow walkway
between rows of garden vegetables to a path to the barn or a path
through the woods. We sometimes refer to hiking trails as paths.
Seldom do we, though, think of paths in the way in which this word is
used here. God is not identifying a garden path created by a few
gardeners, nor is He describing a hiking trail along a river or up into
the mountains trekked by hundreds or even thousands. Rather, God is
describing for us an ancient, “proven pathway, roadway,
route of travel, or pathway of life”.
Not only is this a well-planned pathway, but it is an ancient --
ageless, if you please -- one that has been traveled by millions. It is
so well known because it has existed for thousands of years, but it is
also well known because of the One Who created it. It is this ancient
pathway to which God pleads for His people to return.
It is this one that you and I also should yearn to return.
3. PREFER THE PREFERRED:
“. . . Where the
good way is, . . .”
What an extraordinary description this is of the "ancient pathway"
to which God called Israel back. It was a "good way". The "ancient
pathways" are the "good ways". We will examine this in more detail
later, but for now just remember that, no matter where they take you or
what you face along the journey, His ways are always "good ways".
Because He is good, He can provide only that which is good.
The Hebrew word for “good” (Heb – tob) means that God's
ancient pathways are extraordinary. They are pleasant, they are
beneficial, they are enjoyable and happy, they are certainly the
preferred ones compared to the alternatives, they are also productive
and fruitful, they are pleasing, they are certainly the best, and they
are proven, having stood the tests of time. These are all words used to
define the word, "good".
It is the "good way" not only because it is good, but also because it is
actually the way. Remember that we talked about that "crossroad"
intersection where a decision had to be made? Well, this one -- this
"good way" -- is the Only one. The word, “Way”, (Heb -- derek) tells us
that it is a “proven pathway, it is a life's journey, it is a
specifically defined course, it is a preferred practice, it is a daily
walk, it is a prescribed set of divine principles, it is a manner of
living -- a lifestyle, if you please --, and it is a clear-cut
direction” on the way to a destination.
Not every alternative you have by which to live your life is a
good one -- not even a right one. Actually, for the Christian, there is
only one lifestyle . . . one set of principles . . . one journey . . .
that is right. There may be many choices, many opportunities, many
aspirations, many vocations, many prizes for which to strive, -- and
some of them are good. But, they may not be Godly. And that is the
difference.
Solomon, the wisest man on earth in his day, knew this. Maybe he
learned it the hard way through hard knocks, personal failures, and
unrealistic expectations. However he learned it, the Holy Spirit
inspired him to remind us -- two times, no less -- that those ways may
look good, but the end result is catastrophic. “There is a way which seems right
to a man, but its end is the way of death.” -- (Prov 14:12; 16:25)
4. CHOOSE THE ANCIENT PATH:
“. . . and walk
in it; . . .”
Think about this for a moment -- if it is not walked on, is a path
still a path? Or is it merely a very long and narrow barren strip of
dirt?
Here's the point -- to coin a phrase from a very famous song of many decades ago, "This path was made for walkin'!"
God has given us an indescribable blessing -- a path -- a tried and true
ancient path -- a perfect path -- a fruitful, beneficial, and
productive path. But, if you decide to be like Israel and refuse to
walk it, it has no value to you -- only condemnation, judgment,
suffering, and death.
I know from personal experience what it's like to take alternative
routes to what God had in mind for me. Learning that lesson was always a
hard way -- and it was never pleasant. God is a jealous God Who
doesn't have alternate routes and detours for you. He has one path in
mind for you, just as He has had for me. Fortunately -- and gratefully
-- God used those diversion routes to bring me back to His intended
path. But, along the way, I bypassed beautiful vistas, amazing
opportunities, and fruitful harvests -- simply because I made a wrong
turn. Yet, in His mercy, He drew me back -- even from those "seems
right" mistakes -- and put me back on the "ancient path".
So, for both you and me, God's plan is that when we stand at the
crossroads and view the options, we choose the "ancient path". To do
so, though, requires a decision on our parts. We can choose the
"ancient path" leading to life, or we can choose the "seems right" path
that leads to death.
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and
death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order
that you may live, you and your descendants,. .” (Deut 30:19).
“Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the
right or to the left.” (Isa 30:21).
Now sometimes we misconstrue other things, thinking they are the
"ancient paths", but they are not. God's "ancient path" is not the way
of traditions. (Ml 7:5). Neither are they the way of the flesh. (Rom
8:4). And, they certainly are not customary. (Acts 21:21).
It has been given to each of us the decision -- follow the
pathways leading to other gods, or follow the "ancient paths" that lead
us to a life of blessing, fruitfulness, effectiveness, joy, and
productivity. This is what Joshua presented to Israel just before they
crossed into the Promised Land -- "
If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you
will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which
were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will
serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15).
Choose the "ancient path"!
5. THE JOURNEY IS INDESCRIBABLE:
“. . . And you will find rest for your souls."
Here's a profound idea that we usually don't associate with
walking, trekking a pathway, or taking a journey -- finding rest in the
process. For most of our married life, when we took a vacation, I
frankly never expected to find rest. Oh, to be sure, there would be
those "do nothing" times -- especially if we spent our vacations with
family.
I might get a little rest, but I would never "find rest". Very few of
our family vacations were more than two weeks in duration. So, here's
what I generally experienced:
Days one and two, travel to our destination.
Days three and four, decompress from the stress of ministry.
Days five through seven, relax and catch up on sleep, rest, and visiting with family.
Day eight and nine, begin thinking about having to go back to work.
Day ten through twelve, make lists and plans of things to be done when I return to work.
Days thirteen and fourteen, travel home.
So much for "finding rest".
In looking at the word, “Find” (Heb – matsa), it surprises us a
bit because we see that it isn't "found" by looking for it, but it is
"found" by simply returning to and living within the parameters of the
"ancient paths". The word, "find" literally means to, “automatically have found, to have
discovered, to have had befallen to, to have had it show up, etc.”
In other words, this kind of rest cannot be manufactured, discovered,
or worked for. It is only "found" -- surprisingly and refreshingly
received.
The next word is “Rest” (Heb -- margôa‛). It is a state or a condition. It is described as “a resting place, an abode of
rest, a disposition of quiet contentment, an inner condition or state”. And, interestingly, when you experience such rest, two things happen.
First, you will stop being stressed. Many years ago, God showed me an important verse -- "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, . . ."
(II Tim 2:24). While this was Paul's admonition to the young pastor,
Timothy, it remains true for all of us. Our walk with God and our
service for Him, must never be characterized by striving. This is so
important that even when God gave Moses the blue print for the
priesthood, He directed that the priests would wear linen in order to
keep them from sweating as they ministered before the Lord.
Indeed, journeying according to God's "ancient paths" is to be a restful one -- even during times of hardship.
Finally, let's look very quickly at the fact that such rest is
for our “Souls” (Heb – nephesh). While this word may incorporate our
minds, emotions, and decision making processes, it more practically
refers to “life in general, the process of living, our personhood of who
we are,
-- in other words, my entire being”.
How is this possible? How is it possible to diligently follow the "ancient paths"? God explained it to Moses one day: --
"My presence shall go with
you, and I will give you rest." (Exod 33:14).
You see, when you commit yourself to faithfully follow the "ancient
paths" which we will identify in greater detail in later letters, the
presence of the God Who created the pathway will go with us. And
because He is with us, we will have rest.
One thing I have found throughout scripture is that often rest is
accompanied by peace. To illustrate: -- let's say that you are facing a
decision that you've had to struggle over for a period of time.
Finally, after much prayer and seeking God's mind on the matter, you
find that you have settled the issue, and immediately you enter into a
state of contented, satisfied, rest. And, guess what happens to you as a
witness that you made the right decision?
Peace!
When we have contended with the issue, satisfied with nothing less than
knowing the will of God, and then you come to that satisfaction of
knowing you have found God's will, peace floods your mind -- and you
finally, "sit back and relax".
That's how God works, and that's the life you will enjoy as you follow
the "ancient paths" God so desired for His people, Israel.
Centuries later, Jesus offered that same rest -- if we would simply join with Him on the journey -- "Come
to Me, all who are weary and
heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon
yourselves and learn of me; for I am gentle and humble of spirit, and you will find rest for your souls." (Mt 11:28).
FINALLY:
Refusal of the "ancient paths" is Rebellion against God:
-- “But they said,
'We will NOT walk in it'."
There is nothing more dangerous in the world at any level than telling God, "NO!" Even today, God's Word is clear for you and me. We dare not tell him, "No!" to any of these commands, or a thousand others.
"You shall also say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD, "Behold, I set before you the way of life and
the way of death." (Jer 21:8).
"Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the LORD your God." (Lev 19:4).
"Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your
God." (Le 19:31).
"Be careful, do not turn to evil, For you have preferred this to affliction." (Job 36:21).
"Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil." (Prov 4:27).
Which will you choose – the “Ancient Paths”, or the paths the world and its master offer you? Are you desperate for
them? Desperation is a way of discerning the level of commitment you have to following them.
Our lives should be constantly characterized by a prayer like this -- "Lord, my answer is 'Yes!'. What's Your question?"
I can't help but review the sins that led to God's judgment -- a
judgment that they initiated upon themselves. This didn't happen
because God was mad at them, but because His compassion was so great
that He would do whatever was necessary to draw them back to Himself:
1. They refused to walk according to God's directives (6:16). -- ". . . they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
2. They refused to listen to God's correctives (6:17). -- ". . . they said, 'We will not listen.'
3. They disregarded God as their origin and their God (18:15). -- ". . .My people have forgotten Me, . . ."
4. They turned to idolatry, worshiping pagan gods (18:16). -- ". . . they burn incense to worthless gods . . ."
5. They stumbled and wandered along the world's ways because of those actions (18:17). ". . . and they have stumbled from their ways, from the ancient paths, to walk in bypaths. . ."
When we find ourselves having strayed away from -- or deliberately
rebelled against -- God, there is only one way back -- one way home.
"Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls."
I recognize that these thoughts will probably not fully develop until we address three remaining questions:
1. What, actually, ARE the “ancient paths”?
2. What if I ignore or abandon the “ancient paths”?
3. How can I discover, follow, and live by those “ancient
paths”?
These, I hope to sufficiently answer in coming letters. Until then, I remain . . .
In His Bond, By His Grace, and for His Kingdom,
Bob Tolliver -- Romans 1:11
"Now these were more
noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received
the word with great eagerness,
examining the Scriptures daily to see
whether these things were so." -- Dr. Luke
(Acts 17:11)
"A fire kept burning on the
hearthstone of my heart, and I took up the burden of the
day with fresh courage and hope." --
Charles F. McKoy
Life Unlimited Ministries
LUMglobal
Copyright June, 2022
"If Jesus had preached the same
message that many ministers preach today, He would never
have been crucified." -- Leonard Ravenhill
"The time will come when
instead of shepherds feeding the sheep, the Church will
have clowns entertaining the goats." --
Charles H. Spurgeon
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