Show Me The Ancient Paths
“Show me Your ways O Lord, teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth and teach me for You are God my Savior and my hope is in You all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
This is what the LORD says: "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. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' Jeremiah 6:16
A few days visit to St. Simons Island accomplished more than I ever dreamed. It proved to be a much needed trip with friends to refresh us in the midst of the pandemic. The sheltering had lingered a little long and left us a bit dry and crusty. Irritations were mounting and fears lying just beneath the surface were oozing out.
Time to press pause on the news and a greater pause to our rantings was a necessity for discovering some much needed rest for our souls. The road trip breathed life into our dry bones. The clouds, sunshine, wildflowers all seemed to speak life. As we drew closer to the ocean, the salty air watered our parched souls. The massive oaks seemed to shout of the majesty of our Almighty God. The lush green colors and the intense heat warmed our hearts.
The island is full of history and even the ancient buildings sent messages like sharp arrows right into hearts. Our God is an enduring God. History reminds us of where we have come from and points to history that is unfolding in front of our eyes. Faith began to climb upwards as I was reminded of “The Ancient of Days.”
I pleaded to stop the car allowing me to hop out and grab a closer
view. It began with a quick click of the rustic arched entrance perfectly framing the historical old church.
But one photo just wasn’t enough. It seemed that each snap of beauty drew me in a little closer into the grounds and actually into the very presence of God.
The smell of the earth filled my nostrils. The wispy Spanish moss blowing in the wind reminded me of the move of the spirit.
There was a hush within that stirred a longing to just sit on the ground and worship. The straight brick pathway led right up to the door of the 135 year old Frederica Christ Church. The words on the website speak of what I experienced.
“Our grounds and our faith are historic, built upon the foundations laid by our ancestors on this island and the host of saints who have come before us. We combine the ancient ways of Christ’s followers with the modern needs and experiences of today’s people. If you seek Christ or a deeper knowledge of him, we invite you to join us on the way.”
Questions soared in my heart. How many had worshiped there? How many prayers had filled the atmosphere? How many souls had gathered around the eucharist table and were fed? It was obvious that this place had been filled with prayer. Someone had prepared the way. Just as the brick path had been laid to lead the way inside the church, so the way had been prepared for others to enter into a relationship with Jesus.
Someone went before me and laid a path for me to walk in. The faith of our Fathers laid a foundation for others to find the Way. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus. Jesus laid Himself down as the way, the truth, the life.
As a nation we have turned so far from the ancient paths. The paths that were clearly laid out for us in God’s word. We have sought to find a better way. A more comfortable way. An acceptable way. A more profitable path.
Every other path has led to disaster and will always lead to disaster?
We stand at a crossroads and we have to choose which way we will go.
When will we return to the ancient path?
This is what the LORD says:
"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. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.' Jeremiah 6:16
The scripture says, “ASK.” Stand right where you are and look. Look and ask. Ask for the ancient paths. Ask where the good way is.
Then…walk in it.
Promise...you will find rest for your souls.
As we choose the ancient paths, the good way, and walk in it, we will find rest for our souls. His paths always lead to His heart. We will enter into the presence of God and as we journey with Him. We will prepare the path for someone else to find their way to God.
How will we answer?
We can’t answer for our nation, but we can answer for ourselves.
“Lord, show me your path, that I may walk in it.”
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