Daily Devotional

Through the years, I have traveled to many places where I was unfamiliar with the roads.  As in typical male fashion, I often would not ask for directions.  I figured we were close to our destination so if I kept driving around, I would eventually find it.  When I would come to a crossroad where there were no direction signs, I would have to guess which way was the right way.  I would end up wasting a lot of time.  Today with Google Maps and other travel apps, we can get step-by-step GPS directions.  One thing I have noticed though is that Google Maps does not always give you the best route for your travel.  It might be the shortest or have the least traffic, but it is not always the best way.

In life, there have been many times that I have come to a crossroads in my walk with God and have wondered which way is the best way to go.  This career path, this moral decision, or this financial decision looks good.  But at each of these crossroads, we need to stop and look around.  As the Prophet Jeremiah of old said, we need to ask for directions.  We need to ask for the “old, godly way.”  This way may not be the most traveled road, especially when our world is telling us to get all we can out of life and enjoy ourselves.  King Solomon warned his son when he wrote in Proverbs 14:12 (NLT), “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.”  It often is alluring to take the path everyone else is walking on, not realizing that this path leads to death and destruction.  The “old, godly way” is often the least traveled path but by choosing it we find rest for our souls.  As I get older, the more I enjoy rest and peace in my soul.  I am at peace with my relationships with God and others.  I know that the decisions I have made are the right ones and even though others have chosen different paths, I know this is the right path for me in my walk with God.  

In Jeremiah’s day, the people of Israel had chosen the wrong path.  They were worshiping the false god of Baal and were giving their worship to gods that could never save or sustain them.  When they were presented with the “old, godly way” they said, “No, that’s not the road we want!”  They wanted to be like the other nations and worship their gods instead of the one true God.  When prophets like Jeremiah would sound a warning to the Nation of Israel, that they were on the wrong path, Israel would respond by saying, “No! We won’t pay attention!”  Sadly, this led to their downfall and deportation from the land God had given them.  

Today we need to listen to Jeremiah’s words.  Is the path of life we are walking on “the old, godly way” or have we taken the wrong path and God is “sounding the alarm?”  Is God warning you that you are on the wrong path through His Word, through His Holy Spirit, and through the godly advice of Christian friends?  Don’t turn a deaf ear to these warnings.  Do not say like Israel, “No! We won’t pay attention!”  God has your best interest at heart, and He does not want you to continue a destructive path.

I have found such peace and rest when I have chosen “the old, godly way.”  I wish I could say I have always chosen that way.  I have found when I am on the wrong path that God puts out warning signs and I need to take them seriously.  I need to change my direction and choose the right path.  What God says about my finances, my morality, my relationships, and my future is for my best.  Join me and let’s encourage each other to choose “the old, godly way”, regardless of what everyone else may be doing.

Prayer:   Lord may my heart always desire to follow after You.  Help me to choose Your path for my life.  I want to walk close to You and please You in all that I do.  Amen

New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.