Jeremiah 6:16.
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.’” (NIV)

This is what the LORD says: 
“Stop at the crossroads and look around. 
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. 
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. 
But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’” (NLT)

But they said, ‘Nothing doing.
We aren’t going that way.’
(The Message)

—

One of the best prayers you can ever pray is found in Psalm 143:8. It says, “Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” 

At least that’s how it said it in the New International Version, released in 1984. The current reading in the New International Version says, “Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.” Same message, different words. But I still prefer the 1984 version. 

One of the worst prayers you can pray is, “No, that’s not the road we want.”

Let’s discuss first principles. Telling God “no” is rebellion. There’s another word for that in the Bible, and it’s called sin, just so there is no confusion. Everybody, including Adam and Eve, sins. You’d think what happened to Adam and Eve after their great sin would have been a warning to everyone else, and we would have figured out by now that that’s probably not the way we should go. 

 Our adversary keeps whispering in our ears that he’s got a better way, that you have a better way. There is no better way than God’s way. No way. 

Take a look at what happened in Jeremiah’s day when people continued in their rebellion against God, when they pretended to worship God, when they pretended that they belonged to him, but they added a few extra gods, just for a little good luck. They ignored the command that said, “No other gods.” God put it right out front so that nobody would miss it. 

Jeremiah brings us back to those first principles, and among them is the principle that whatever God tells us to do is right, just, fair, kind, and compassionate. It is the right way, the good way, the best way, the only way to honor Him and serve others. 

As you prepare for the way before you today, you may well know the directions where you’re headed. That’s a good thing, but do you know God’s directions for:

– who you will be
– how you will talk to others
– how you will serve others
– how you will bless others
– how you will join God in building a better world

Chances are you’re not altogether certain about all of those things. That’s why we pray as Jeremiah teaches us here. God tells us to pray like this:

Stop at the crossroads and look around. 
Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. 
Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. 

Notice that when we ask God for directions, He provides them. He shows us the way we should go, and His way leads toward rest, not weariness. 

Fifty years or more ago, Billy Graham talked about “One Way” in his stadium crusades. It’s a good habit every day to come to God and pray, “Show me the right way so that I may walk in it. Lead me along your path that I might know rest instead of weariness.”

—

I will seek to know and walk God’s path today and every day. 

—

Our Father, show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Show me the old godly way that I may walk in it. I want to travel your path. I want to know and experience you each step of the way. I want to find the purpose and rest that you promise. Amen.