Whenever we reach an intersection in our journey of life, some decision is required. Stop. God is calling us to faith—that is, to choose to do his will. How shall we know what that is?
The prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament was writing to a people stubborn and determined to go their own way regardless of God’s many warnings and directions.
“Stand at the cross-roads; look for the ancient paths; ask, ‘Where is the way that leads to what is good?’ Then take that way, and you will find rest for yourselves” (Jeremiah 6:16, NASB).
Look for the ancient paths—God’s ways, often scorned as mere tradition. We often prefer to go our way, or to follow whatever is new and different and exciting.
God calls us not to novelty, but to what is good. To choose that road means a radical departure from the “way that seems right to man” (Proverbs. 14:12, ESV)—the beaten path, the wide highway—a stern rejection of whatever deters us from the pure and the holy. But the ancient way, rejected by the crowd, leads to rest. The lovingkindness of God, our guide, draws us always to the place of relief from stress, release from things that weigh us down, refreshment for our tiredness.
“Then take that way.”
This devotional by Elisabeth Elliot appeared in the Dec. 29, 2022, Elisabeth Elliot newsletter and was originally published in Elliot’s book, The Music of His Promises.
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