“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, “We will not walk in it”’” (Jeremiah 6:16).

You and I need to continue to ask for “the old paths.” Why?

(1) God tells us to do so – “thus says the LORD” (cf. 2 Thess. 2:15). (2) It is where the good way is (cf. 1 Kings 8:36). (3) If we do, we will find rest for our souls (cf. Matt. 11:28-30).

So, what are the “old paths”? The “old paths” is simply the Word of God, the inspired teachings of Scripture (2 Tim. 3:16-17; 1 Pet. 4:11). It is the demand for Bible authority for all that we teach and practice (Col. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:6).

The problem too often then and now is that people grow tired (2 Tim. 4:2-4) of the “old paths” and they want something new and different (Deut. 32:17; Judg. 5:8; Gal. 1:6-9).

Many had that attitude under the old covenant. “Who say to the seers, ‘Do not see,’ and to the prophets, ‘Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits’” (Isa. 30:10). Some have that attitude towards the new covenant. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables” (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

Every generation, and every individual within that generation, has to make up their own mind whether or not they will ask for the old paths or refuse to walk in it. Walking in the “old paths” will lead you to heaven, but to refuse to do so will lead you to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23, 24-27). So, what about you? Will you ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it? Or will you say, “I will not walk in it.” May we all wisely and humbly choose the way that will bring rest to our souls.