Saturday Scripture Gold with Bibi: With God's Direction, We Are Never Lost!

A certain guide in the deserts of Arabia never lost his way. He carried a homing pigeon with a fine cord attached to his leg. If he doubted which path to take or if he was caught in a sand storm, he would release the bird. The pigeon would fly in the direction of home. The guide was always able to return safely.

God also directs us home by means of his "dove," the Holy Spirit. When we follow his direction we will arrive safely, as well.

The days of Jeremiah's ministry to the people of Israel were days of deep spiritual wickedness. The people had sinned against God to the point where He was ready to give them up into captivity. And, in fact, they did go into captivity in just a few short years. Yet, even while they perched on the edge of judgment, the Lord desires to see them turn back to Him.

In Jeremiah 6:16, we are given the image of a traveler who come to a fork in the road. He has the opportunity to go anyway he desires, but God tells him to ask for the "old paths, where is the good way". Instead of just traveling blindly on, this traveler is to stop an ask directions. We know how that goes. Many are too filled with pride to stop and ask, and as a result, they waste much valuable time seeking their way.

Of course, this is all in a religious context. The Lord wants His people to travel the right path. He wants them on a path that will lead them in His direction. While this word of correction was spoken to the Jews many years ago, there is a lesson in this verse for the modern church today.

It is my opinion that the Lord would still have His people to ask for the old paths. Let's take a moment this week to consider three elements of this verse as we think on the thought, "Ask For The Old (Ancient) Paths." I want you to know that there is a right path and there is a wrong path. We must be sure we are walking the one which God has ordained, the one that He can bless, the one that honors Him. How can we tell the difference?

First, there is a requirement. The command that God is issuing to His people is for them not to allow themselves to be lead astray by the false prophets and leaders of their day. They are to look back to men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and others who walked the path of obedience and holiness before the Lord and they are to seek that path for themselves.

God's command is that they not just go anyway, but that they take the time to find the right path, that old, well-worn path that represents the best way.

The problem Israel faced is a problem people have faced down through the ages. As and example, during World War II, during the Battle of the Bulge, there was a group of German soldiers who dressed themselves in the uniforms of the Allies. These German soldiers used American military vehicles and went through the German countryside changing the road signs.

When the American troops came to the various crossroads, they were often fooled and lead off in the wrong direction. This deception by the Germans almost gave them the victory in this very decisive battle from the Second World War.

Just like those German soldiers caused confusion and death by changing a few signs, so many in our day are leading millions off into Hell because they are changing some of the road signs of the faith. Allow me to share a few of the road signs that are being changed in our day. There is...

1. Salvation Through The Blood (Hebrews 9:22)
2. Belief In The Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16; Psalm 119:89. The Bible contains 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 41,173 verses; 774,746 words; and 3,566,480 letters. It is every ounce the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God!
3. Love For The Church (Hebrews 10:25)
4. The Reality Of Heaven And Hell (John 14:1-3; Psalm 9:17)
5. The Value Of The Human Soul (Mark 8:36-37)
6. The Soon Return Of Jesus (Revelation 20:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
7. The Holiness Of God. In other words, we try to bring God down to man's level. He is holy (Isaiah 6:3; 1 Peter 1:16)

Therefore, regardless of which signs the world changes, it does not change the road! The Word of God is still settled in Heaven. We still know the "old paths". There is no question about what way is the right way. And, God's requirement has not changed: ask for the old and walk therein!

Secondly, there is a reward. God's promise to those who walk in His paths is that they will find rest for our souls. That is, in His paths, we can be assured of three great truths:

1. We can be sure that we will arrive at the proper destination! When we take the Lord's highway, we can be sure that it will end in His presence!

2. We can travel in safety knowing that the Lord is guarding our way. Not only will we end up where we want to be, but we will get there in the safest, most peaceful manner possible.

3. We can know that while we are on the Lord's path, the deepest needs of our soul will be met! There will be fellowship with Him and joy in His presence at the end of the way!

However, those who fail to ask for the old paths will find themselves walking in the ways of destruction and misery. When we turn our backs on the way God has chosen as the right way we will find that the way is difficult, there is no peace or safety and the destination is ever in question. There is a reward for those who will walk in the Lord's pathway!

Thirdly, there is a refusal. Jeremiah 6 tells us that some decided that they would not walk in the Lord's will and in the Lord's path. The results of their choice is chastisement and destruction (Jeremiah 6:17-30). There is a high price to pay for refusing to walk in the Lord's will!

We are living in a day when many are refusing to walk in the old paths. Either the old way is too narrow, or they feel that God just doesn't know that what He is talking about. Yet, no matter what the world does, let us, the people of the Lord, stand tall in the old way.

Let us be unashamed of who we are. Let us hold our heads high and walk in the way God has ordained without apology and without backing down. Let us be everything the Lord commanded us to be in His Word (1 Corinthians 15:58).

In summary, the old way isn't the popular way! It is being abandoned daily by people who have decided that new is better. They are leaving the Bible, the old songs of the faith, old fashioned worship, praising the Lord, and preaching. Seeker services are replacing old time worship of the Lord.

Yet, God has not changed (Hebrews 13:8). I can find no room to change myself. I think I'll ask for the old paths and walk in them. How about you? The enemies are changing the signs, but the Lord will knows the way. Let's ask Him and He will lead!

Scripture: 1 John 2:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 12:7; 1 Corinthians 11:1-2; Romans 12:1-2

Now, let's pray...

O Father, give us the humility which realizes its ignorance, admits its mistakes, recognizes its need, welcomes advice, accepts rebuke. Help us always to praise rather than to criticize, to sympathize rather than to discourage, to build rather than to destroy, and to think of people at their best rather than at their worst. This we ask for in thy name's sake. Amen

Until next time...

Have a blessed week!

Bibi