The Ancient Paths

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 a watchman over you saying,

Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!

But they said, "We will not pay attention."

Jeremiah 6:16-17

Anytime I find the word 'rest' in scripture, my soul goes on high alert.   I have really become a very weary person: weary of striving, weary of getting it wrong, and weary of displeasing man.    I have worn myself out trying to find peace, even though I had salvation.  So what is this 'ancient path'?  What is this trumpet that I don't pay any attention to?  Have I said, "I will not pay attention."   If so, why?  Why won't I pay attention?

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus says: "Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls. (The Amplified Bible)   Jesus Himself is the Ancient Path.  I must choose all roads that lead to Him.  I can't get to the Father through any road but Him.  Satisfying the law on my own or satisfying the judgments of other people will not bring me to Him.  Refreshment and recreation lie in trusting Him with my transformation and with my relationships.  I don't choose this Path when it seems easier, when it seems safer to cut my own path.  When I don't pay attention to His alarm, His trumpet, it's because my own fear and pride have captured all my attention.  Lord how many times do I have to be worried and chased by enemies before I listen?  Today I chose the ancient, eternal path: You.

Father teach me the paths that lead to you: prayer, meditation, study of your word, simplicity, service, worship and love.  Forgive me when I chosen religious perfectionism (the yeast of the Pharisees) and petty addictions instead of You.   Give me the faith I need to trust the Ancient Path, Jesus.   Come deep into the center of my brokenness and comfort me in my loneliness.   I long for the 'soul rest' you promise.  I long for you.

A Prayer for the Rest-Full Life

I found this prayer in a devotional called Praying with Paul.  This prayer is based on one of my favorite passages of scripture: Hebrews 3:7-4:11.  I decided to blog it so I could find it back and make it part of my prayer cycle.  

Dear Father, I long to enter into your rest - into creative work that is effortless, into joyous activity in which there is no fatigue, into glorious  praise of which I will not tire!  Thank you for the Good News that there remains a Sabbath Rest for the people of God.  Keep me from being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.   May I not focus on the glittering things of this world and lose sight of the glorious eternity that awaits me.   Let me not fall away from you through faithlessness and disobedience as did your ancient people in the wilderness wanderings.  Let no rebellion sprout in my heart against you.  May I walk steadfastly and patiently in your paths.  May I learn that to enter your rest I must surrender my will .  In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

Press into Him in prayer.  Press into him in Life!  In Him is freedom from the tiresome addictions and strivings of this world that burn up the lives of many.  In Him is a creative activity that knows no fatigue.