“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.’” Jeremiah 6:16
What a powerful verse from the Word of God! Promised rest
for our souls! As I pondered on this verse this morning I thought back to the
many crossroads in my own life over the years. How many times had I taken the
wrong path? How many poor choices did I make, only to find that my life was
anything but restful! There was no peace, though I sought it diligently.
Do you feel as though you’re standing at the crossroads of
your life?
This year I’ve taken the challenge to read the Bible through
with a group of friends. I’ve just finished reading the story of Joseph, a man
of God who suffered horribly in his life.
Taken out to the crossroad in the desert, he was sold into
slavery by his OWN BROTHERS! Taken to a foreign country as a slave, misunderstood
and thrown into prison, yet he was a man of God. He remained faithful to God
throughout his life. With God’s hand on him, he eventually became the most
powerful man in Egypt, next to Pharoah. And when he had the opportunity to
reject his cruel and evil brothers, he showed them forgiveness, love and
compassion. He loved them with a great and miraculous love that could only come
from God! After all they had done to him. And by choosing to love and forgive,
he was reunited with his family and enjoyed years of peace and happiness with
them. His path of forgiveness brought peace and comfort to them all. What a
story of restoration and redemption!
When I reflect on this, I realize that he could only have
made such choices because he was a man faithful to God throughout his life. He
truly “walked in the good way and found rest for his soul.”
So what can we learn from his life? His story, ancient
though it may be, tells us to follow the advice of Jeremiah 6:16.
Look for the ancient paths ---à Read the Word of God
and KNOW HIM
Ask where the good way is -à God’s way
Walk with Him ---à Find REST FOR OUR
SOULS
We can know rest and peace just as Joseph, a man of God,
found his rest!
The key is to be faithful to God, our heavenly father.
DEAR GOD: THANK YOU FOR THE WORD OF GOD AND FOR THE EXAMPLE
OF JOSEPH, A TRUE SERVANT OF GOD WHO LIVED FOR YOU.
MAY WE ALSO SEEK YOU ALONE AND HONOR YOU WITH OUR LIVES.
LORD, HELP US TO BE FAITHFUL, FORGIVING, AND LOVING ~ ALWAYS SEEKING TO REDEEM
RELATIONSHIPS, SO WE TOO CAN HAVE PEACE AND REST.
IN JESUS’ PRECIOUS NAME WE ASK IT, AMEN.
