Shoulder To Shoulder #1296 -- 6/20//22 ---- "Seeking The Ancient Paths (Pt 4 -- Their Fundamentals)"
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 #1296 -- 6/20//22
Title: "Seeking The Ancient Paths (Pt 4 -- Their
Fundamentals)"
My Dear Friend and Co-Laborer with Christ:
Today I greet you again from the White Mountains of eastern
Arizona and the little town of Greer -- "the best kept
secret in Arizona . . . and we hope to keep it that way",
as locals often say. It looks like we've entered our
much-needed early Summer rainy season where the fire danger is
now diminishing. Last week a forest fire in the Wallow are
brought shudders and alarm to those who make Greer their home
as it brought memories of the notorious "Wallow Fire" of
2011.
Th3 2011 fire consumed 538,049 acres and took 41 days to
contain. It was the largest fire in Arizona history.
Fortunately last week's fire covered just over 1,000 acres and
was quickly controlled in a few days. We had lots of smoke
for a couple of days, and we spent most of one day inside with
windows closed. We've had two or three days over the past
week where we had some light rains, but Sunday we had three
pretty serious "soakers" that have probably lifted the "Stage
2" fire hazard situation.
The weather forecast is predicting rain of some kind for at
least the next nine days, so this will be great news -- lakes
will continue to replenish, grass will green up for the
livestock and wildlife, and those beautiful Summer wildflowers
will begin to spring up everywhere. When the weather is just
right, there's no place like the high plains of the White
Mountains.
One cannot but think of ancient civilizations and empires -- and their
demise -- when we observe what is happening in our world, and in our own
nation. One cannot think of our national condition today without
thinking of past civilizations and empires -- Babylon, Assyria, Egypt,
Roman, British, etc. -- and people such as Nimrod, Sennacherib, Pharaoh,
Nero, Marx, Stalin, Putin, . . .
Nor can one think of America without thinking of ancient Israel's
collapse -- and the reason for it -- without it garnering up
similarities found in our own country. It seems that our current study
on "Restoring Ancient Pathways" is far more pertinent today than we
would have dared imagine even ten years ago. Today, I want to continue
that study by taking a look at some actual characteristics o the ancient
paths to which the Bible repeatedly refers in one term or another.
Before we do, though, consider . . .
THIS 'N' THAT:
Sometimes I include links like these in my letters -- and sometimes I
don't. I try to be wise in posting only things I think might interest
you, such as . . .
+ Global
Persecution of Christians -- Iran: Reliable
reports continue emerging that indicate Iran's intent to
totally purge Iran from all Christian influence.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/iran-proxies-invisible-jihad-christians-middle-east-report-warns.
+ Thousands of Christians Voluntarily Remained in
Afghanistan: Thousands of Christians in
Afghanistan decided to stay in order to minister to others
and share the Gospel. Voice of the Martyrs is one
organization continuing to support them, and is worth
supporting. Check it out at
https://etools.vomusa.org/a/vombm/viewasweb/vom_bulk_email_202206_20_web.html.
+ Ancient Paths Sermon #3: Our media guy,
Steve, has already posted a "raw" cut of last Sunday's
sermon -- "Ancient Pathways -- Their Fundamentals". If
you'd like to watch the sermon only, you can view it on the
Chapel's YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ocqLSraD4SE .
If you want a full uncut version of the entire service
including Communion and music, go to
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1z2t69JaBLNCltSFMiuYtCCfZq2USlxsJ/view?usp=sharing.
If you would like to download a copy o the study sheet, go
to
https://ln2.sync.com/dl/f45380f10/v3j6b98b-6ucpcte5-v5sxt4xs-hctkcwax/view/doc/2587390977009
.
+ Ongoing Ukraine Ministry: We
continue raising support through Life Unlimited (a 501.c.3
non-profit) for Ukraine, and are happy to report that so far
we have raised over $17,000, some $15,000 of which has already
gone to the various locations I mentioned in my last letter.
The rest is temporarily held in reserve for emergency needs
that might arise. Ultimately 100%d goes on to Ukraine. The
response from the recipients has been most gratifying.
For example, our ministry recently sent $1,000 to a pastor
friend in Ukraine, Pasha, for their work with refugees,
widows, and widowers in towns and villages in their area.
Over 5,000 houses were either destroyed or unlivable from
damage early in the war. On top of that, they have had
thousands of refugees from eastern Ukraine flood into their
areas -- much like they had in 1986 when Chernobyl exploded
and their area was inundated with people seeking safety from
the radioactivity. Today I got this update note from him
regarding the current situation in their villages around
Brusilov, which is about 60 miles south of Kyiv:
-- "May God bless you. We have a wave of refugees, again,
from Severodonetsk and Lysychansk. So there is a lot of
work. We are almost empty with food and right now want to
buy what we need. Thank you for your help."
Funds are desperately needed throughout the country, but sadly
many in the west are forgetting or are tiring of the tragedy.
The news media is not helpful as they bury stories of the war
while Ukrainians and Russians bury their dead. We will
continue doing all we can as long as we can as long as funds
come in. Pray for us -- and for Ukraine.
+ Good Update Sources on Ukraine: Obviously
Jo Ann and I try to keep current on what is happening in
Putin's invasion of Ukraine. We have found these news sources
to be reliable. Feel free to check them out.
Euromaidan Press --
https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/06/21/russo-ukrainian-war-day-118-russia-threatens-ukrainian-decision-making-centers-and-lithuania/
Kyiv Independent --
https://mailchi.mp/baac054eb6c2/welcome-to-the-ukraine-daily-newsletter-16521789?e=57d3f46ff1
Kyiv Post -- https://www.kyivpost.com/
+ What We've Known is Confirmed: We've known all along
that the homosexual agenda, along with pro-abortion and other
movements, has always been to intimidate, silence, and even eliminate
the biblical voice regarding social issues -- religion, moral, etc.
Here, now, is proof in the words of someone who has been there. Go to
https://www.charismanews.com/us/89496-former-homosexual-says-silencing-christians-is-lgbtq-agenda-s-main-objective.
+ Celebrating One Of Jerusalem's First Archaeologists: Tuesday, June 21st, is the 200th birthday of the German archaeologist
who paved the way for archaeological research in and around the ancient
city of Jerusalem. A very interesting sketch of Conrad Schick. As an
archaeologist and architect, he understood history' value. As a
protestant missionary, he understood the role Jerusalem plays in Judaism
and Christianity. You will probably want to learn more after you read
this. I know I do. Go to
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/archaeology-today/archaeologists-biblical-scholars-works/the-foundations-of-jerusalem-archaeology/.
+ Protection of Women's Integrity Increasing:
According to many reports, numerous sports agencies are following FINA's
lead in prohibiting men, who are generally larger and stronger than
women, from participating in competitive sports. Here is one report at
https://washingtonstand.com/news/following-finas-lead-athletes-and-governing-bodies-step-up-to-the-plate-for-womens-sports.
QUOTES FOR THE WEEK:
> "Our nation once called itself a Christian nation. Now
our nation is throwing God and His ways out and taking deadly
paths. Punishment always comes. God warns: ask for the old paths,
ancient paths of antiquity, where the good way is, and walk in the
paths of righteousness." -- Roger Meyer
> ". . . the ancient paths are not archaic or
inaccessible or irrelevant. Rather, they are indeed a light to our
path (Psalm 119:105)." -- Unknown
> "As for the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips I have
kept from the paths of the violent. My steps have held fast to Your
paths. My feet have not slipped." -- Ps 17:4-5
> "The ancient paths go back to the garden of Eden when
mankind had the perfect relationship with God. The ancient paths
go back to the beginning when the world was created and before
time was created. The ancient paths began with God. Isn’t it time
to take the Hand of Grace and ask for the ancient paths, the godly
ways?" -- Retha Groenewald
> "General distrust is being thrown upon religions
teachings: not positive unbelief, but uncertainty. And by having
confidence in religion its real power is destroyed. Thus thousands
are abandoning old paths — old thoughts, usages, customs, habits,
convictions, virtues." -- Henry Ward Beecher
> "You will make known to me the path of life; In Your
presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures
forever." -- Ps 16:11
ANCIENT PATHWAYS -- THEIR FUNDAMENTALS
Today's letter is the fourth in our series on "Seeking the
Ancient Paths. Last week as I was preparing to preach on this
topic, it occurred to me than in the sixty-six years of my
ministry -- 53 of which have been as a preacher -- I have
never taught or preached on the topic of "Ancient Paths" or
"Ancient Pathways". It was a stunning thought. I don't know
if I just overlooked the subject, or if I just thought it was
such an understood topic that I assumed everyone knew what it
was all about.
Up until recently, the term was just a vague and generalized
term that referred to the Bible. I, frankly, didn't see it either as
being "ancient" in terms of linking it to the Garden of Eden, or even
further back literally emanating long before Creation and entering into
time from our eternal God. Neither did I tend to think of them as
precise, specific, identifiable pathways that could be seen, studied,
and literally followed. But, as I mentioned to the Chapel folks
Sunday, the more I
have studied it, the more profound I am finding it to be --
and the more basic and fundamental I am finding it to be to
the
entire Christian life.
Remember the two times that term is used in the Bible? Ponder
them closely again:
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.
"For what purpose does frankincense come to Me from
Sheba And the sweet cane from a distant land? Your burnt
offerings are not acceptable And your sacrifices are not
pleasing to Me." Therefore, thus says the LORD, "Behold, I
am laying stumbling blocks before this people. And they will
stumble against them, Fathers and sons together; Neighbor
and friend will perish." -- Jeremiah 6:16-21
"Therefore thus says the LORD, 'Ask now among the
nations, Who ever heard the like of this? The virgin of
Israel Has done a most appalling thing.
Jer 18:14 'Does the snow of Lebanon forsake the rock of the
open country? Or is the cold flowing water from a foreign
land ever snatched away?
'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, To make their
land a desolation, An object of perpetual hissing; Everyone
who passes by it will be astonished And shake his head.
'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.'" -- Jeremiah 18:13-17
PREFACE:
In review, the actual introduction of Ancient Paths to mankind
happened in
the Garden of Eden when God gave them full access to the Tree
of Life but commanded them to not take from the Tree of the
Knowledge of good and Evil. The choice for them should have
been easy. However, the fallen destroyer took advantage of their unique
God-given ability to make decisions and choose, and offered what he
claimed was an alternative -- ". . . be like God! Know good and
evil! After all, you deserve it -- and besides, God gave you the
freedom to choose. So, go ahead! -- choose. But, uh, I'd recommend
THAT one."
As a result that you well know, all Ancient Paths of life
emanate from those two trees –
the Ancient Path leading to Righteousness and peace, another
ancient path leading to rebellion and sin. This principle can
be found not only throughout the Bible, but also in the rise and fall
of empires, nations, and culture. The idea was so commonly known among
the Jewish culture that Jesus contrasted it through the parable of two
paths and two gates from
which people must choose in order to enter into His kingdom
and live by its principles.
"In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want
them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Enter through
the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to
destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is
small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who
find it." -- Matt 7:12-14.
Do not overlook the fact that Jesus' remarks were made within the
context of His first major teaching to His disciples and a massive crowd
of onlookers; it is identified as The Sermon on the Mount. Nor should
you overlook the link between the "narrow way" and "narrow gate" to "the Law and the Prophets." We'll have to leave that study to another time, but remember that both points are extremely important to recognize.
The text itself, then, points out two very
crucial facts -- two huge contrasts -- that Jesus taught:
1. There is a broad, appealing, much-traveled path leading
to a disappointing and destructive end.
2. There is a narrow, demanding, less-traveled path leading
to blessing, joy, and eternal life.
In this setting in Galilee some 500+ years later, this parable
is actually the contemporary extension of
the Ancient Paths first revealed to Adam and Eve. So, we
could use Jesus’ story today to gain
insight into actually what those Ancient Paths might be, and
what they are like. There are probably others -- in fact, I'm sure
there are, -- but let's look at at least five fundamental
characteristics.
This will be important in our study because these characteristics will
give us confidence and trust in
the Ancient Paths themselves, and hopefully draw us like
irresistible magnet to discover them, learn them, follow them, and live
by them. If we have no confidence in them, we will not follow
them. Just as they should have appealed to Judah and Israel,
they should show us how we must seek those Ancient Paths,
return to them, and let others know where they are. Much
depends on it.
Consequently, these Ancient Paths are . . .
1. FOUNDATIONAL PATHWAYS:
Henry Ward Beecher, 19th Century theologian and brother to
poetess Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote in his discourse on Ancient Paths, "Regard as sacred the first principles of truth." The
reason that the Ancient Paths to which God had Jeremiah point were
foundational is because they were trustworthy. The reason they were
trustworthy is because they were truth that had been tested and proven.
They had to be trustworthy. Trustworthiness required reliable,
consistent truth.
Within a few miles radius of Greer, more than 200 miles of known trails
can be found. This doesn't include those that have been abandoned or no
longer used for one reason or another. The network is vast, ranging
all the way from the Sype Wildlife Reserve to the east to Mount Baldy on
the west. Throughout this vast networks that winds its way through
prairie, canyons, and mountain ridges and 2,000 feet variances in
elevation are certain trails that are fundamental or foundational to the
entire network. If it were not for those foundational trails, the
others would not interconnect. They would remain disconnected,
pointless, and probably unknown.
But, it is the Ancient Foundational Pathways that make sense of the 200+
miles of rare beauty, majestic vistas, and character-building
challenges. They are foundational -- and trustworthy because they have
been proven. What you see is what you get. What you get is true. The
path starts here and it leads to there. Someone once said, “A man who aims at nothing hits it every time.” -- and it's true.
For a pathway to be truly "foundational" it must have three elements --
an identifiable origin, a recognizable direction, and a reliable
destination. If they do not have those elements, you cannot identify
them as "foundational". The Ancient Paths to which God pointed Jeremiah
did all of those, and are, thus clearly Foundational pathways. As
such, you and I can and must trust them -- even if Israel did not.
Why is this so essential? Because Foundations are the
things upon which everything is built and
upon which it rests. Without them, nothing else is reliable
or seemingly important. Jo Ann and I learned the importance
of foundations numerous times when we lived in Ukraine. The first
occurred when we started taking our teams of university students to the
town of Brusilov about 60 miles south of Kyiv. It, and dozens of other
towns and villages in the area were in what was called "Zone Three"
following the Chernobyl nuclear plant explosion. It was the farthest
zone of communities away from the nuclear plant and deemed to be the
"safest" to which the Communist government would relocate the residents
from the immediate area of the plant.
Brusilov had a sudden and immediate influx of thousands of people, so
the government began building small cinder and concrete block houses on
the outskirts of town. However, they built them so rapidly that they
never took time to dig trenches and pour footings and foundations upon
which to build. Instead, they poured semi-level slabs of concrete and
then built on top of them. Needless to say, it was only a matter of
time before the floors and walls began to crack and shift, and ceilings
and roofs became unstable.
We have been in many of those homes. Some of them were beautifully
decorated inside and had beautiful gardens and flower beds outside.
But, neither the interior nor exterior beauty did anything to create
strength, stability, and longevity to the houses. The problem was not
with pictures, wall hangings, vegetables, and flowers. The problem
wasn't even with the roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors. The problem
was with the foundation -- there wasn't any.
The Psalmist wrote, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the
righteous do?” -- Psalm 11:3. Even the most devout and
godly Christian could not improve the condition of those homes. In
reality, for those homes to have ever been solid and truly livable
comfortably and without fear, they would have to be torn down and start
from scratch. Tar in the cracks of the floors and braces against the
walls last only so long. No kind of repair or improvement, no matter
how sincere, will ever take the place of footings and foundations. So, .
. . .
“You therefore beloved knowing this beforehand, take
care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless
people & lose your own stability.” – II Pet 3:27
We are instructed many times in both the Old and the New Testaments to
be sure the pathways we walk are made of solid foundation.
“Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.” – Prov 4:26
“Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,
Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.” – Eph 2:20
One of the chief -- and likely most important --
characteristics of those Ancient Pathways followed by faithful
God-followers was that they were foundational. They were based on truth
-- truth that had been tried and tested. Consider some of those
earlier followers -- Enoch, who walked with God so closely that he was
spared the process of death and was instead translated directly into
God's presence; or Noah who, "found grace in the eyes of the Lord"; or Abraham who, "believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness";
or thousands of others. Compare their lives to the lives of other
Bible characters such as Esau, Ishmael, the sons of Korah, the sons of
Eli, King Saul, or Ananias and Sapphira.
The difference is clear -- some walked the foundational Ancient Pathways . . . and the others didn't.
These Ancient Pathways were also . . .
2. FAMILIAR PATHWAYS:
Familiarity indicates that someone recognizes something they have done,
seen, known about, or heard before. It is not new to them. The Ancient
Pathways noted in Jeremiah were clearly known by both Israel and
Judah. This was no new form of living -- by God's standards. One thing
is clear about the Jewish culture, and that is that for centuries they
had practiced the commands of God that each generation faithfully teach
at least the two following generations what they had been taught --
which was, of course, what those preceding Moses had been taught.
""Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so
that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do
not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them
known to your sons and your grandsons." -- Deut 4:9.
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your might.
"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your
heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of
them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when
you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on
your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall
write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." -- Deut 6:4-9.
If there is a key thought throughout the Old Testament regarding the way
and the ways God's followers were to live, it was to be exceptionally
familiar with His commands and guidelines. I never cease to marvel at
how God's educational system for mankind was so deeply ingrained into
the early life of Israel. Even in the New Testament we see that the
primary duty of parents is to educate their children. This doesn't sit
well with many people today -- even some Christians. But, the fact
remains that the more frequently a person hears, reads, sees, or studies
something, the more familiar they become with the topic. And the more
familiar they are with it, the more likely they are to practice it.
The same is true about how we live.
"Train up a child in the way he should live, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." -- Prov 22:6. You knew that, didn't you.
You see, your confidence in following the Ancient Pathways -- and your
surefootedness as you follow them -- depend on your familiarity
with them. The better you know, the safer you walk. This is why scripture tells us, . . .
"Your Word have I hid and treasured in my heart so that I will sin against God." -- Ps 119:11.
“Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be
established.” – Prov 4:26
“Have I not written to you excellent things Of counsels
and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of
truth That you may correctly answer him who sent you? “ – Prov
22:20-21
“You will make known to me the path of life; In Your
presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are
pleasures forever." – Pa 16:11
God's Ancient Paths are familiar paths. They have been for centuries.
No culture or generation is exempt. They are familiar to us. They are
familiar enough to us that we know them to be true. They have been
tested and proven. We have no excuse for not walking in them -- only
disobedience.
.
3. FEARLESS PATHWAYS:
As I get older, I come to understand more fully how a Christian can
learn to live fearlessly. In fact, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God
never gives us a spirit of fear. Instead He provides us a spirit of
power, love, and a "sound mind" or a sense of discipline over our
thoughts and emotions (see II TIm 1:7). I know we sometimes try to
rationalize this all away, but human fear is to never be part of our
lives.
Why is that true? Because fear is the "great robber" in the Christian
walk. How many times can you remember when fear robbed some event,
experience, or relationship from you? I'm not talking about the "fear"
-- the awe, honor, and reverence we are to have toward all things of God
-- that many people use as an excuse to embrace human fear. I'm
talking about a fear that keeps you from obeying God, trusting Him for a
particular outcome, or sleeping well at night, knowing everything will
be alright.
When one digs deeply into the idea of Ancient Paths, we discover that
those paths are littered with reminders of God's faithfulness, His
entire trustworthiness, and His constant presence with us. This is
particularly articulated in the revered 23rd Psalm. Look at these
words: . . .
". . . 2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me
beside quiet waters. . . . 4 Even though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are
with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. . . . 5
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows." – Ps
23:2,4-5
Look at that! I don't need to be fearful of what I need because He puts
me in lush green provision along the pool of quiet refreshing. I don't
even need to fear death because He leads me right through its ominous
shadow. His rod of protection and His staff of rescue pull us out of
and away from trouble. I can even relax and feast right in the face of
my enemies.
Get the picture? So, . . . .
"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do
according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded
you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that
you may have success wherever you go.” – Josh 1:7
"Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe
the statutes and the ordinances which the LORD commanded Moses
concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor
be dismayed.” – I Chron 22:13
4. FAULTLESS PATHWAYS:
The Ancient Pathways of which God spoke were not always easy -- but they
were never wrong. Obviously His Ancient Pathways are embedded for us
in the Bible. Repeatedly His directives are found in it. In fact, if
it's not found there, then our thoughts and tendencies may well not even
be based on His Ancient Paths.
If you want to know something of the perfection of God's Word,
please take time to read Psalm 19 and also Psalm 119. For example
Psalm 119 reveals elements of His Ancient Paths. There
are dozens of words describing what His Word is, how it is
characterized, and what it produces -- "statutes, laws, ways,
instructions, testimonies, precepts, . . ." I would urge you to take
time to study both Psalms in great detail. Here's how Psalm 119 begins:
"1. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the
law of the LORD. 2. How blessed are those who observe His testimonies,
Who seek Him with all their heart. 3. They also do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways. 4. You have ordained Your precepts, That we
should keep them diligently.
"5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes! 6.
Then I shall not be ashamed When I look upon all Your commandments. 7. I
shall give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your
righteous judgments. 8. I shall keep Your statutes; Do not forsake me
utterly!
"9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according
to Your word. 10. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me
wander from Your commandments. 11. Your word I have treasured in my
heart, That I may not sin against You." -- Psalm 119:1-11.
I don't know of anything that should motivate us more to read, learn,
and walk in God's Ancient Paths than this brief preamble to the great
riches of that Psalm. But that's only the half of it! Read on! . . .
“As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD
is tested; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” – II
Sam 22:31
"As for God, His way is blameless;The word of the LORD
is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.” – Ps
18:30.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the
testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” – Ps
19:7
“How blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk
in the law of the LORD.” – Ps 119:1
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, and a light to my
path.” -- Psalm 119:105.
Yes, my friend, the Ancient Paths of God are absolutely flawless. There
is not one iota of confusion, deception, or unreliability, or falsehood
to be found anywhere in the Bible. No wonder those ancient followers
of Christ had such confidence in it. It was trustworthy because it was
absolutely flawless and faultless.
"For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any
two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit,
of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and
intentions of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His
sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with
whom we have to do." -- Heb 4:12-13.
"And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." -- Eph 6:17.
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching,
for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the
man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." -- II Tim 3:16-17.
"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a
matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an
act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God." -- II Pet 1:20-21.
The fact that God's Ancient Paths are flawless, gives us even more
confidence that they are foundational, familiar, and fearless. In that
they are all those and also flawless, we have no reason to doubt the
fact that, ultimately then, they are . . .
5. FRUITFUL PATHWAYS:
One of my favorite Psalms is the very first one. It begins with a
critical life message that I would hope all of us would heed. We do
have a choice in the matter, and are not obligated to follow paths that
don't originate from the Ancient Paths of God.
I try to imagine where the Psalmist was when he wrote it. Had he just
returned from some controversial debate he had observed? Had he just
gotten up from a night's sleep and looked out over the pastureland with
the sun breaking from behind the hills? Had he just finished a
wonderful meal with his wife and family? Nobody knows. Whatever the
circumstanced, he wrote . . . .
" How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel
of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of
scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he
meditates day and night." -- Ps 1:1-2.
The Psalmist continues, then, by describing the life of such a
person and contrasts it with the person who had chosen a different
pathway.
"He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And
in whatever he does, he prospers.
"The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind
drives away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor
sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of
the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish." -- Ps 1:3-6.
The Apostle John wished such a fruitful life on his beloved friend in
Ephesus, Gaius. In the third epistle he wrote to people there, he
penned these words:
"Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in
good health, just as your soul prospers. For I was very glad when
brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking
in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children
walking in the truth." -- I Jn 1:2-4.
The frequently repeated triad -- pathway/path, walk, truth -- are
fascinating to study. It seems that God is constantly reminding us that
when we choose the Ancient Pathways as a lifestyle and choose to do so
without malice or deception, our lives will always be fruitful.
As I write today, I am looking out the little window of our aging 5th
wheel observing four playful dogs romping in the meadow grass. Aspens
flutter and Ponderosas sway in the morning breeze. Looking beyond the
rail fence I see the willows hiding the infant Little Colorado River.
Behind it all is a tree-covered mountain ridge bravely recovering from
the 2011 Willow Fire that left it burned and scarred for more than a
decade.
It all reminds me of the many ways in which God blesses with
fruitfulness the life that chooses the Ancient Pathways. It is the
spirit of gratitude and not greed that breathes in the contented life.
I see that same view in David's Shepherd Psalm -- Psalm 23. He wrote, . . .
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2. He makes
me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet
waters. 3. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of
righteousness For His name's sake. . . . 5. You prepare a
table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have
anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6. Surely
goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my
life, And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” –
Psalm 23:1-3, 5-6
Have you ever focused your mind on the many words herein that refer to
some form of fruitfulness? Have you noticed that the entire Psalm rests
on the idea of a journey along a pathway? The first phrase catching my
attention is, "I shall not want". Most translations translate it the same way, but Young's Literal Translation says, "I shall not lack".
The Hebrew word is pronounced "chaser" in English (with an "ah" sound, not a long "a"). Its definition is wonderful: -- "I shall not need, be lacking, decrease, become empty, be deprived".
This is the foundational truth of the entire Psalm -- because the Lord
Himself is my shepherd who constantly leads me on His own personally
created Ancient Paths, everything is going to be just great; I won't
lack anything, I won't leave anything, and I won't lose anything.
In light of that fundamental fact, David continued by describing his
life not as a young shepherd guiding and guarding his father's sheep,
but as a sheep himself being guided and guarded by his heavenly Father.
The more I read the Psalm, the more captured I am by the scene of the
journey.
Try to imagine yourself resting in lush green pastures so filled with
verdant abundance that you only need to lower your head to taste another
morsel of grass. Picture yourself slowly walking along a stream where,
once past the noisy gurgling shallow waters, you pause for a long drink
of cool, refreshing water -- no hurry, no worry. Sheep prefer quiet
streams, not bubbling brooks and rushing rapids. No wonder David
exclaimed, "He restores my soul."
And then, just realize that the pathway you're traveling with your Shepherd is one of righteousness -- one where everything is "tsedeq" -- everything is "right, rightness, vindicated, just, accurate, true".
Knowing so assures you that the chains of the past are broken, the
challenges of the present are manageable, and the courage needed for the
future is adequate.
The Psalmist continues, assuring us that even when we are facing our
enemies -- and even if the enemy is "in our face" -- even then, he
provides for our every need. The word for table doesn't mean just a
table as you and I think, but rather, a table "spread" -- all over the
place, up and down the row. I could envisage it as a giant buffet in a
restaurant, but that's not the ambiance I visualize.
It reminds me of not just a picnic, but instead an enormous outdoor
potluck dinner I enjoyed 70 years ago when the Hoosier Prairie Church
celebrated their 100th anniversary. There was food of every kind and
food for everybody. If I had gone away hungry, it would have been my
own fault. It wasn't -- because I didn't.
Can you picture yourself stretched out, relaxed, feasting unafraid of
anything while your enemy looks in angry disbelief? -- not so much at
all that you are enjoying, but rather that you are casually and
enjoyably relishing it right in front of him -- free from any fear or
apprehension.
Well, I think you can get the picture, and can envision the rest of the
Psalmist's poetry. The Ancient Path is a path of fruitfulness that
leads to the ultimate destination, dwelling "in the house of the Lord forever" -- and fruitful the entire journey.
This being the case, it seems to me that it is wise to
pay attention to the admonitions of Moses and Joshua. What they
commanded to the Children of Israel, are appropriate for you and me as
well. If we do them, we will find our own journeys also prosperous and
fruitful:
“So keep the words of this covenant to do them, that you
may prosper in all that you do.” – Deut 29:9.
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then
you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have
success.” – Josh 1:8.
Remember what Jesus told His disciples at the final Passover?
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide
in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I
in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." -- Jn 15:4-5.
The analogy is different, but the principle is the same. The word, "abide" means to "permanently nestle down in, settle down in, remain in the state of, to stay, to continue, to sojourn (remain on the journey)". Jesus promised that, by doing so, your life would bear much fruit -- because of Him. The Ancient Paths are fruitful paths.
FINALLY
These five characteristics describe the nature, purpose,
and function of the Ancient Pathways the Children of Israel
abandoned to worship false gods and sin against God. If they
had stayed on -- or even returned after straying from -- them, they
would have found them to be . . .
Foundational pathways providing stability and surefootedness,
Familiar pathways that for centuries had been proven to be reliable,
Fearless pathways that need not be avoided even during dangerous times,
Faultless pathways that, while sometimes unknown or
• When they rejected God’s offer, they walked away from the
very thing that would have saved them and given them a hope
and a future.
It didn't have to be that way for Israel. Just a few decades earlier
their beloved king, David, had written a song about God's goodness when
they followed His ancient paths, writing . . .
"You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is
fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever." -- Ps 16:11.
If they had remembered to follow that Ancient Path, their lives would have been entirely different.
Let's you and I not make that mistake. The Ancient Pathways are
absolutely breath taking; they are beyond comprehension -- if only we
will walk in them faithfully.
In my next letter -- unless the Lord directs otherwise -- we'll look at
Israel's five major sins against God that made it necessary for His
judgment to be poured out on them. I'm afraid they'll look rather
familiar.
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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