Why Ancient paths? We are told to "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16) What if those paths are part of the Kingdom? What if they lay a brilliant route through whatever may still come our way? What if we can find rest for our soul?
Trevor H Lund is the founder of Live LIGHT Academy at https://livelight.ca and the Chief Storyteller at https://revtrev.com Subscribe and set notifications on https://revtrev.com/tv for past videos and live casts and https://revtrev.com/radio to subscribe to his podcast wherever you listen.
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Paul’s blessing for the church in Thessalonica resonates with so many people.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation.
It’s not just people in the church that resonate with this. It’s anyone who watches the news. Anyone who spends time on social media. It’s anyone who wants all of this to be over and for normal to be normal again.
People want peace. Not just in the world around them, they want peace in their souls.
What I’ve learned throughout this season we’re all in is that is God’s will for you and me and all who call on His name - that we would have peace at all times and in every situation, not just for ourselves but for everyone we can share that peace with.
The problem is we are going to get tired, we are going to get frustrated, we will likely grow weary in doing good. We are going to doing things that cost us our peace.
How many of you can be honest and say,
“yes I’ve felt tired, frustrated and weary?”
If you’re watching online type in “Amen…not A-women just Amen” Facebook or YouTube Type Amen.
Anything that costs you your peace is too expensive.
Jeremiah prophesied in Jerusalem, before Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians.
In Chapter 6 he gives us the solution for when we feel we’ve lost our peace. He says…
Jeremiah 6:16 "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls."
When we are tired, when we get frustrated, when we grow weary in doing good, the ancient way will help us find rest for our souls.
We’re going to look at possible stones in foundation of the ancient path, that are still important to us today. We’ll discuss the problems we can have in living them out. We’ll understand our part and God’s part in each of them. And we’ll leave with encouragement and a challenge to find the rest we need for our souls.
Can I pray?
First Stone
The first stone in foundation of the Ancient Path I want to point out to you comes from the Prophet Micah. We can trace it in Scripture well before Micah, but Micah summarizes it beautifully.
Micah prophesied between 750 and 686 BC. Like Jeremiah, he was before the fall of Jerusalem. He prophesied the fall of Samaria. Samaria fell 722 BC. Jerusalem didn’t fall to Babylon until 587 BC.
In world history that places him the early part of the Greek Archaic Period.
The history of the Bible blows me away. The Kingdom of Israel began, split and fell before Greece became Classical Greece. Their statues in this period were stiff. What Micah prophesied pre-dates that.
This book is ancient. Treat it with respect.
Micah prophesied in Chapter 6
Micah 6:6-8 NLT What can we bring to the Lord? Should we bring him burnt offerings Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves? Should we offer him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins? No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
A stone in the foundation of the Ancient Path we need to follow is righteousness.
Definition:
Righteousness is doing right, loving mercy, walking humbly with God.
There’s a problem with Righteousness… what do you think it is? If you’re watching on Facebook or YouTube tell us in the comments.
What is the problem with righteousness?
Problem:
We think righteousness is all on us - if we think right, if we behave right - then we are right and we’re righteous.
That’s not what the Bible teaches. That’s not what God wants.
He hasn’t designed us to accomplish His will without him.
The Father doesn’t intend for us to become more and more like the Son without the help of Holy Spirit.
He hasn’t designed us to accomplish his will without him.
Does this really matter?
1. Righteousness is part of our identity
1 John 2:29 NASB If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness also has been born of Him.
2. God loves the ones who pursue righteousness
Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves the one who pursues righteousness.
Righteousness matters BUT Righteousness is not all up to us.
We have a part and God has a part.
Our part:
1. Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16 NASB All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;
2. Faith (Our response to the revelation of God)
Philippians 3:9 NASB and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
3. Wisdom (That God gives wisdom to those who ask for it)
James 3:13 NASB Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behaviour his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
But he says before that
James 1:5 NASB But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
Because Righteousness is not all up to us.
God’s part
1. His Name is Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6 NASB In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will live securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, ‘The Lord Our Righteousness.’
2. He became sin so we could be called righteous
2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
3. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness
2 Peter 1:3 NASB or His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence
Without Him, all our righteousness is filthy rags
Isaiah 64:6 NASB For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our wrongdoings, like the wind, take us away.
Our righteousness is not good enough.
The stone in the foundation of the ancient paths is righteousness. And God’s righteousness starts with what Isaiah tells us.
Isaiah 61:10 NASB I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, My soul will be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
And it continues through what Paul reminds Titus:
Titus 3:5-6 NASB He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we did in righteousness, but in accordance with His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He richly poured out upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour,
We do right because we’ve been made Righteous. It’s not that we do right so we can be called righteous.
Does that make sense? It makes all the difference in this journey.
It’s a huge shift to live out. It takes wisdom to live righteous.
Don’t forgot God gives us wisdom when we ask for it. It takes Wisdom to have peace. Look at how James defines wisdom from above.
James 3:17-18 NLT But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favouritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness
This is all connected. These are the different stone in the same ancient pathway.
Second Stone
Peace is another stone in the foundation the ancient pathway. Let me show you how righteousness and peace fit together. Look at what Isaiah says about righteousness.
Isaiah 32:17 NASB And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever.
The psalmist tells us
Righteousness and peace kiss. (Psalms 85:10)
PEACE is another stone in foundation of the ancient path. It is bound together with righteousness in order to make the way to go.
Isaiah 54:10 NASB For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My favour will not be removed from you, Nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,” Says the Lord who has compassion on you.
How many of you can testify that’s true? Show of hands? If you’re watching online type “Amen” if you agree - not “A-women” or I’ll call you out.
Let’s do some more interaction. If you’re watching online type your answer in the comments.
What’s the problem with peace?
The problem with peace is that we give it up way too easily.
Does THIS REALLY MATTER?
If righteousness is part of our identity, peace is proof of our authority. Want proof?
I was an image on Facebook that said…
This year I want to be more like Jesus:
- Hang out with sinners.
- Upset religious people.
- Tell stories that make people think.
- Choose unpopular friends
- Be kind, loving and merciful
- Take naps on boats
The only thing I would change on that would be the last one. Instead of “Take naps on boats” I’d write “Sleep in any storm”
You know why? You have authority over any storm you can take a nap in.
Peace is proof of our authority.
Paul told the Philippians
Philippians 1:28 NASB and in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and this too, from God.
Basically he’s saying your peace reminds your enemy where they are going.
Peace is proof of our authority.
The same thing with Righteousness, we have a part and God has a part. Let me show you what I mean..
Our part - Trust
Isaiah 26:3 NIV You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
God’s Part - Gives peace
Numbers 6:24-26 NIV “‘“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”’
Peace comes from God. It’s not something you can force yourself to have. You can’t “fake it til you make it”.
Do you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding? If not, give up your right to understand.
Trust him. Do you want peace?
Don’t worry about anything
- use that energy to meditate on the good and the right and the pure and the trustworthy…Ask Holy Spirit to help, he will.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
- When you go to prayer, exchange your problems for His peace. Prayer is an exchange, it’s not a psychological soother. Prayer is an exchange where I bring my problems to Him and He gives me His peace….Ask Holy Spirit how to do that if you’re telling yourself right now you can’t.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
With thanksgiving.
Gratitude is the game-changer. We come into His presence with thanksgiving. In His presence we are changed.
Worry about nothing.
Pray about everything.
With thanksgiving.
…and the peace of God that transcends all understanding will be with you.
You and I need peace at all times and every situation, not only for ourselves for those we need to share our peace with.
Peace is an ongoing part of the journey. It is another stone in the ancient path we need to follow. Peace and Righteousness are cemented to another stone.
It’s the final stone in the ancient path we’re going to look at today.
Third Stone
Romans 15:13 NIV May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Trust not only fills us with peace, with fills us with joy.
Guess what? Righteousness invites joy as well.
Proverbs 10:28 NIV The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
How many can testify about the importance of joy in you life?
Hands up if you're here. If you’re watching online type “Amen”….
Do you know the difference joy makes in your journey?
Let’s keep up this interaction. Type “AMEN” not “AWoman”
What’s the problem with joy?
Answer online I’ll mention what you say.
The problem I see with joy is I confuse it with happiness.
Happiness depends on what happens. Joy is our strength.
Does this matter?
Proverbs 17:22 NASB A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.
When Nehemiah came back with the exiles to Jerusalem and rebuilt the walls to a defensible position in 52 days.
This happened probably in 444 BC. In world History Athens laid the first stone of the Parthenon in 447 BC. Jerusalem was being rebuilt the same time Athens was becoming Athens.
After the walls were rebuilt Ezra the priest read the scrolls of the law to the people and Levites instructed the people on what was being read. It become so overwhelming it says that all the people began weeping.
Nehemiah told them:
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Righteousness, Peace and Joy are three of stones in the ancient path.
Our part in following the ancient paths
1. Believe in God
1 Peter 1:8 NASB and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
2. Be in His presence
Psalm 16:11 NIV You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
(Remember we come into His presence with thanksgiving)
3. Listening and obeying the spoken word of God - Jesus said
John 15:11 NIV I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
4. Planting and Reaping - Jesus
John 4:36 NLT The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike!
Philemon 1:6 NIV84 I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
5. Recognize Other’s love
Philemon 1:7 NLT Your love has given me much joy and comfort, my brother, for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people.
6. Promote peace
Proverbs 12:20 NIV Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
All of these things and more will bring joy.
God’s part
I hope you noticed, none of those things you can do without God.
Joy is fruit Holy Spirit grows in us. He’s the one that empowers us to be
Romans 12:12 NIV Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Why do I say Righteousness, Peace and Joy are stones in the foundation for the ancient path we’re to look to?
Because in the middle of the discussion Paul is having about eating meat that was offered to idols he makes this revelatory statement.
Romans 14:17-18 NIV For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
Righteousness, Peace and Joy are the ancient path we need to follow through anything and everything that may still be coming our way.
When we walk in righteousness, peace and joy we will find the resting place for our soul.
But God gave a warning back in Jeremiah’s day and it’s still challenges us today.
Jeremiah 6:16-17 NASB This is what the Lord says: “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
God spoke through Isaiah (30:15) told them…
Isaiah 30:15 NIV This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.
Rest for your soul… will you…?
Righteousness Peace And Joy in the Holy Spirit
Remember it’s not your work, it’s what Jesus has done.
The Kingdom of God is Righteous, Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.
Righteousness
We do right because we’ve been made Righteous
Peace
We are given peace as we trust in Him
How do we show that trust? Worry about nothing, pray about everything with thanksgiving.
Joy
Enjoy His Presence and Practice His Presence
"Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find a resting place for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16)
Are you ready to find rest in Righteousness, Peace and Joy,
Can I pray for you?
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