Will You Take The First Step?

Jeremiah 6:16 - "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein."

While meditating on this verse not too long ago, the LORD pointed out that He gave four commandments here to the nation of Israel in order for them to get on the old paths.

This is a verse we all like to quote in regards to getting our churches back to where they need to be. I for one am in favor of getting those old paths back in our churches today.

I believe they are needed, dare I say even wanted, but a closer examination of this verse will see that though our desire is for these "old paths", our answer to the Lord concerning them is no different than the nation of Israel's was.

What do I mean? Look closely at this verse and you will see that there are four commandments given to the nation of Israel concerning the old paths.

    1. They were to "stand in the ways".
    2. They were to "see" the ways that were before them.
    3. They were to "ask for the old paths".
    4. They were to "walk" in those old paths.

Notice in the nation of Israel's response to the LORD, that the only thing they said they would not do was "walk therein."

We do not usually have a problem standing for those things we know God wants us to stand for. We do not usually have a problem standing against the things that God would have us to stand against. We are willing to look and see where the LORD wants us to look and see. We will even ask for those old paths from time to time, because we know they are needed, but, sadly, we will not walk therein.

Unfortunately, today's churches answer can be found in Isaiah 30:8-11:

Isaiah 30:8-11 - "Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."

Standing is good, but it is not walking. Seeing is good, but it is not walking. Asking is good, but it is not walking.

Beloved, Brother, Sister, Church member, how will you answer? Keep standing, keep seeing, and keep asking, but...Will you be willing to take the first step onto the old paths to walk therein?

"Blessed Is The Man..."

Many today want the blessings of God on their lives. Here are a few ways that we can be blessed of the Lord according to the Scriptures:

Psalms 1:1 - Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

Psalms 32:2 - Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Psalms 34:8 - O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Psalms 65:4 - Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.

Psalms 84:5 - Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them.

Psalms 84:12 - O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Psalms 94:12 - Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law;

Psalms 112:1 - Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

Proverbs 8:34 - Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.

Isaiah 56:2 - Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Jeremiah 17:7 - Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Romans 4:8 - Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.