The Ancient Paths

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Jeremiah 6:15,16 "'Were they ashamed  because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down', says the Lord. 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.'" NASB

The ancient paths. Lately the Lord has really been dealing with me on these verses. The ancient paths. If He is saying that the Church has gotten off the ancient paths- what does that mean and what are those ancient paths?
That word "ancient" doesn't just mean old, but it is a tried and true path. One that does not change and leads to "rest" for our souls. In the original it means: "everlasting, perpetual, always, long time of past, of future, forever, continuous, unending, future, eternity." (1)   I like that idea-- of "past", "continuous" and "forever".  It was good then, is good now and will be good in the future!

Jeremiah was speaking to the backslidden nation of Judah. They were in a state very much like most of the Church is today. They had veered off the ancient path- the tried and true path, the path that Jehovah had laid out for His people. They refused to return to the good way and their end was destruction and they were taken into captivity. Though there was a remnant (and there is always a remnant)- the nation of Judah was thrown into captivity. Today- it is the same. Much of the Church has gotten off the ancient paths. They have left a life of godliness and righteousness and are walking on the paths of compromise, complacency, worldly attractions and behaviors; fleshly and sinful lives. True Christianity is barely recognizable today!  Many Christians don't even blush at sin anymore! These things ought not to be!  Paul warned the Galatians that they had turned from Christ to a different gospel (Galatians 1:6) and called them foolish because they were bewitched that they wouldn't obey the truth. (Galatians 3:1)

Who or what has bewitched you? What has bewitched the Church to turn from the ancient paths to a path of indulgence, self promotion, fleshly desires, worldly attitudes, compromise? Romans 12:1,2 tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God and to not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  

The ancient paths. The tried and true paths. The paths that are for yesterday, today and forever. The Word of God is full of what these paths are: righteousness, holiness, commitment and extreme devotion to the Lord, love for God and for others. The list goes on. Sad to say, many Christians today do not read their Bible and do not know the Word. It is foreign to them. But they spend hours on social media and maybe get their "verse for the day". Well, Church--- it's gong to take more than a "verse for the day".  It is going to take the Living Word breathing and flowing in and out of us. It is going to take a radical commitment to Christ- not a fleeting- "I believe in Christ"- but an extreme belief and extreme devotion and commitment to face the extreme attacks of the enemy today. Many who have gone off these ancient paths have fallen captive to satan and his minions. It will take the prayers and intercessions of those who are truly sold out to God for their release.

The ancient paths. Have you left the path? Have you strayed off being attracted by bright and shiny objects that satan temps us with? Or are you maintaining your walk. Are you one of those extremely devoted lovers of God who will stay on tract no matter what comes your way.

The ancient paths. Which path are you taking? The broad path, the popular path, the path where all your friends are walking? Or are you on the narrow path, the tried and true path, the ancient path that leads to righteousness and life.

Jeremiah 18:15-17 "Because my people hath forgotten Me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; to make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head."

Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."


Dear Lord, help me to stay on the ancient paths no matter what. For it is there that I find rest for my soul; it is there that I find those still waters by the paths of righteousness. It is there that I find the path of life and fullness of joy. It is there that I find Jesus Christ!
In Jesus precious name, Amen.

(1) "Abingdon's Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible" 1983

~ ~ Donna 

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