Decisions, decisions: At the crossroads.

Decisions, decisions: At the crossroads.

So we could feel as if we are at a crossroads.

Some 'routes' will shout louder than others, but they are not necessarily the best one.

Does it compromise other people's conscience, or does it lead into sin?

This may be rather obvious, but it should still be asked.

"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.

Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way."

ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is,

and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."

We may be feeling bombarded by all the new things & we don't know what to do, or which way to go.

So the Lord's first instruction in Jeremiah is `look.'

There is tremendous pressure to run headlong into everything these-days.

"Buy this NOW at the special half price deal,

otherwise tomorrow, it will be back at it's full price!"

No! "Stand at the crossroads and look." Wait!

Give time to this decision. While we look we can think things over.

We're called to be wise as serpents, & innocent as doves.

Let's not spend years going along pathways, that don't particularly lead anywhere.

The second thing to notice in the passage is:- `Ask'

Ask the Lord which is the right way to go. Ask a wise Christian person.

Have you noticed about signposts that they always give a destination, or a road number, but they never show what the best way is, nor what the worst way is.

The sign doesn't tell us that if we go on this road, the car in front of us is going to have an accident!

But it is good to ask the Lord, & to trust Him that you will make the right decision.

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." (Jer 6:16 NIV)

Ask for the ancient path, ask for where the good way is.

The Lord is saying ask for the ancient path.

So that means that not everything that is old is bad!

The ancient paths, & the good way, is found in the ancient Book:

"So be careful to do what the LORD your God has commanded you;

do not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you,

and prolong your days in the land that you will possess."

Why do so many people look down on anything old these days?

The problem is that everything is `improved' & `new'.

Why is that, because these things couldn't have been perfect to start with!

He can't be improved, neither can His works.

All the modern technology does not change peoples hearts.

People are the same inside as they were thousands of years ago.

It is the perfect medicine for the disease of sin & death.

Sometimes people get stuck in the past. They seem to spend their time looking back at how good things were when they were younger. This is often not very healthy.

But if we look back in a correct way, it can challenge & enrich our faith.

I love reading the old books that godly people have written & I have found the life of George Whitefield inspiring.

God used this man to bring revival to this country in the 18th century.

Do you know how George Whitefield was revived himself?

By asking for the ancient paths & asking where the good way is.

He read Matthew Henry's commentary on the Bible, which opened his mind to the wonder of God's Word.

He prayed over the Bible passages, & the Holy Spirit opened his mind to Biblical Truth.

Yes, revivals start by looking back at what God has done in the past & by returning to the Word of God.

Looking back at what God has done is a Biblical concept!

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 77:11-14 (NIV)

"I recall all you have done, O LORD;

I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.

You are the God of miracles and wonders!

You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations."

Notice the Psalmist is looking back at God's mighty deeds, but he also says "You are the God of miracles....." He doesn't live in the past, His God now is a Holy God of power who works miracles.

ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is,

and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."