Ancient Words...Ever True

To whom shall I speak and give warning,

that they may hear?

Behold, their ears are uncircumcised,

they cannot listen;

behold, the word of the LORD is to them an object of scorn;

they take no pleasure in it.

Thus says the LORD:

“Stand by the roads, and look,

and ask for the ancient paths,

where the good way is; and walk in it,

and find rest for your souls.

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

I set watchmen over you, saying,

‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’

But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’

Therefore hear, O nations,

and know, O congregation, what will happen to them.

Hear, O earth; behold, I am bringing disaster upon this people,

the fruit of their devices,

because they have not paid attention to my words;

and as for my law, they have rejected it.

(Jeremiah 6:10, 16-19 ESV)

These past few weeks I have begun reading Jeremiah. To be honest, I have struggled with reading some of the Old Testament books--especially these prophets, and have avoided these books in the past. But so far, this journey through Jeremiah has been really good. It's been convicting, as I compare my life with the Israelites and the people of Judah. In the book of Jeremiah, God calls Jeremiah to go and preach a message of judgement on His people. Although the judgments are brutal, and God says over and over again how weary and tired he is with his people's constant sin, he also demonstrates his great love for them. He would have stopped his wrath if only one person would turn to him and admit that they had sinned against Him. It reminds me of how much we have been forgiven because of Christ's death on the cross on our behalf. If we only believe and trust that his work was enough for our sins--that we don't have to keep on working, or do our own religious acts to save ourselves--then we are completely forgiven of all our sins past, present and future, and our guaranteed Eternal life. What an amazing God we serve! 

As I was reading through today's reading of chapter 6, the above verses really jumped out at me. Am I listening to God's word? Do I obey what he tells me? Or do I choose to read it and then ignore it or worse yet, say I am not even going to listen to God's word today? God has clearly shown how we are to live through His word, and through the life of Christ here on this earth. We have the good way clearly laid out before us, and as we walk in it, we will find rest for our souls. 

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
(John 15:9-11 ESV)


I was also reminded of this lovely song...

Holy words long preserved 
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you,
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart

("Ancient Words" by Micheal W. Smith)