Have you ever come to an intersection that is difficult to navigate through? I remember years ago, there was a roundabout constructed near our home. All those country folks had no idea how to navigate through it. One time, I was behind a pick-up truck that starting into the roundabout and then slammed on his brakes, stopping in the middle of it. The driver waved others through while blocking my way. Another time, a tractor drove straight through the middle of the roundabout and got stuck. There is a four-way stop near where we live. It is frustrating to watch people trying to figure out who is supposed to go first. I am sure we’ve all had some frustrating experiences at intersections while driving.
Life also has difficult intersections to navigate. Every day we are faced with points of decision. There are also milestones in life, big intersections that we must navigate through. It is important for us to understand that decisions determine destiny. We should not be afraid of making a decision, but, we should not take decision making lightly because what we decide can alter our entire lives.
The people of Judah reached a point of crisis. They came to an intersection and they must decide which way to go. In Jeremiah 6:16-21, we see two possible paths. They can take the right road or the wrong road.
The Right Road. The first part of verse 16 says, “Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.”[1] The Lord is encouraging the people of Judah to follow the right road. He tells them to stand at the intersection and see the right way. This right road is described in three ways.
First of all, the right road is described as the old path. There is something to be said about returning to the old ways. In the context of the church, we are seeing such a trend. According to Barna Research, more young people are now attending church than older generations. For the first time in decades, we are seeing a revival amongst younger generations. With this rise in more young people attending church, there is an interesting trend taking shape. Younger generations are turning more toward traditional churches. Such a trend shows that young people do not care about being entertained or impressed. What they are looking for is authenticity. Young people want to be a part of a community where they can build relationships and grow in their faith. Smaller, traditional style churches are more apt to provide such a community. Young people are not asking to be impressed, they are asking to be loved. They are not looking for a place where there are necessarily more young people like them. They are looking for a place where there is real authentic community no matter what the generational make-up the church may be. What is this old path that younger generations crave for? It is the path of holiness. The church has become so much like the world in the name of being relevant that it has backfired. Younger generations are leaving such churches and looking for a place that is different. Every day, we are bombarded with worldliness and sin. It is refreshing to find a church that emphasizes holy living. You see, we are not just to talk the talk, but we are also to walk the walk. If we claim to be Christians, we should live like Christians. We should live like Jesus. Living a separated life is not legalism, it is Biblical. The old path is also the path of faithfulness. There is something to be said about daily methodical faithfulness to the things of God. How faithful are you? Are you faithful to study the Bible and live a life of prayer every day? Are you faithful to the house of God? Are you faithful in your relationships? The old path is also the path of obedience. The Bible teaches us that we are to not just be hearers of the Word, but we are also to be doers of the Word. Going back to what young people are looking for in a church: they are looking for authenticity. They are looking for a community of believers that actual follow the Bible. It is one thing to say you believe the Bible. It is another thing to actually obey the Bible.
Secondly, the right road is described as the good path. The good path is the path of love. It goes to the root of holiness, faithfulness, and obedience; our love for Christ and our love for one another. The good path is the path of following Jesus. It is the path of living the way Jesus lived and loving the way Jesus loved. It is the path of forgiveness and acceptance. The good path is the way of living with the fruit of the Spirit. It is living in relation to one another the way the Bible teaches us to do.
Finally, the right road is described as the place where we find rest. When we walk on the right road, we will find rest. There is something special about returning to our roots and taking the old and good path. Personally, I like a simple way of life. I think we get into trouble and we lose sight of our God-given purpose when we complicate things. However, when we live a life of obedience and walk in the good path of love and Spirit-filled living, things are much more pleasant and simpler. There are a lot of things that come against us in life. However, if you faithfully live your life for the Lord and walk in the path that He has laid out for you, you can lay your head down at night in peace knowing that you did the right thing. The safest place to be is in the center of God’s will and plan for your life. Therefore, to find rest, walk in the path that He has chosen for you.
The Wrong Road. Unfortunately, the people of Judah did not choose the right road. When they were presented with the right road, they literally said that they would not walk in it. Before we judge the people of Judah for their rebellion, we should search our own hearts. How often have we been presented with the right way and yet, we choose to go the opposite way? Just like the right road, there are several descriptions that we see of the wrong road.
First of all, the wrong road is described as a refusal to listen. The people simply refused to listen to the warnings from every prophet that God sent to them. The wrong road is one of stubbornness and rebellion.
Secondly, the wrong road is described as reaping what is sown. When you choose to go down your own path instead of the path that God has presented to you; you will get what is coming to you. Whatever consequences you face; it will be of your own making. There is a saying that goes, “he made his own bed and he has to sleep in it.” You and I must face the consequences of our decisions. If you go down the wrong road, you will reap what you have sown.
Third, the wrong road is described as worship that is not acceptable. I think it is interesting that we tend to judge what acceptable worship is based on our personal preference. We see a band and we say it’s unacceptable. We see ‘high church’ organ style worship and we say it’s unacceptable. We see no musical instruments at all and we call it unacceptable worship. However, God does not define unacceptable worship based on the style or what musical instruments are used. As a matter of fact, the Bible actually commands us to use all kinds of musical instruments in worship. What God calls unacceptable worship has to do with the condition of our heart. When we are not clean. When we have unrepentant sin. When we have a bad attitude. When we harbor bitterness and unforgiveness. When we are not right with God and not right with others. Our worship is not acceptable to God.
Finally, the wrong road is described as those who stumbles. There are stumbling blocks on the wrong road. There are many potholes on the wrong road. There are traps on the wrong road. Those who take the wrong road will often trip over their own feet. It is a never ending cycle of tripping up and falling, when you take the wrong road.
So, you’re at an intersection. There is the right road and the wrong road. The right road is the old path of holiness and faithfulness. It is the good path of right living in relation to others. It is the path that leads to rest. There is also the wrong road. It is choosing to go your own way instead of God’s way. It is a path where many stumble and reap what they sow. It is a path of rebellion. It is a path where your worship is not acceptable to God. So, what will you do? Which road will you take today?
[1] The New King James Version (Je 6:16). (1982). Thomas Nelson.
Pastor Chris Noland 