Why We Must Go Back Before We Can Move Forward

Recovering the Ancient Paths

Where are you going?

A new year brings with it lots of emotions and thoughts. There are plenty of pathways to choose from. The problem is that they all don’t lead anywhere worth going.

We can be busy but be aimless. Or we can move with purpose on a road that will get us where we want and need to be.

To do that we must go back. We must go back to the ancient roads that God has revealed and walk in them. We are not clever enough to find our own way. For ourselves or for our families.

“Thus says the Lord,
“Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your souls.” – Jer. 6:16

There are so many voices clamoring for our attention–social media, news, entertainment, sensuality, success. There are so many forces that seek to undermine our faith and hope and that of our children.

It All Comes Down to This

But it all comes down to one very important thing. We have to choose to walk.

I left out the last part of that verse. Here is the ending of Jer. 6:16:

“But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

God has given us every opportunity to trust Him and his good design. Trust his providence and not try to control everything.

However, at the end of the day, we must walk in it. We must go back to the ancient paths before we can move forward in any meaningful sense.

I tend to rely on my own perceived cleverness…can you relate?

Where are are areas in your own life that you need to go back to the ancient paths?

God’s Ways Are Good…Really Good

God’s ways are good. Really good. Much better than the ways of the world. And the Bible records those ways.

As the book of Psalms puts it:

“I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.” – Psalm 119:145

Where are do you need true freedom? Where do your kids need true freedom? It all comes down to just one thing.

And we must make that choice every day.