Standing at spiritual crossroads is exhausting. This devotional explores Jeremiah 6:16, where God invites his wandering people to return to the ancient path—not as punishment, but as the way to rest. When busyness, ambition, and cultural pressures pull us away from God, he stands at the crossroads waiting, ready to show us the way home.
This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
— Jeremiah 6:16
Darkness is falling and we are still miles away from the end of the hiking trail. From the top of the overlook, the oranges and reds explode as the trees transition into fall. My kids and I explored the cool spray of a hidden waterfall a little too long. Now the urgency hits hard. As the sun goes down, the trail grows darker, the landscape changes. Where once we were following a well-worn path and discovering the beauty of nature, now we stumble over fallen trees and strain to see deteriorating sign posts. If we’re not careful, we’ll become lost in the undergrowth of the forest.
Ancient Paths
Like old, well-worn hiking trails, the people of God could easily look behind them to see the ancient path of obedience their ancestors forged. The testimonies of these faithful men bore witness of the power of God. People like Elijah, the great prophet, who called down fire from heaven, and King David, a man after God’s own heart. Jeremiah wanted the people to remember where they came from so they could find their way back to the God who loved them. They were at a crossroads. Their choice would determine their future.
But the people of Judea had lost their way. They had been known as the people of God, but after years of disobedience, they forgot their identity. They served themselves more than they served God. The Law was clear: “You must not make for yourself an idol” (Deuteronomy 5:8). Yet, they followed after the gods of the people around them.
Rather than practicing justice and mercy, they neglected to care for the hurting among them. Instead of walking the path of their ancestors who followed God, they chose the way that led to destruction through consistent disobedience and neglect of God and his ways. As a result, the Temple sat corrupted by the relics of foreign idols, and their leadership watered down the truth with comforting lies.
A Crossroads
Much like the people of Jeremiah’s day, I stand at a crossroads. The world pulls me forward to live for myself. Busyness threatens to crowd out my prayer life. Ambition pulls me away from those entrusted to my care. But behind me lies another path— the ancient path of sacrifice and service, love and discipline. The path that leads to rest.
This is the well-worn path of faith. Marked with with the testimonies of men and women who walked with Jesus and gave their lives to preserve the ancient road. They chose the way of obedience even when the way was hard.
Choose Wisely
Each day, Jesus stands beside me whispering, “Follow me. I am the way, the truth, and the life.” When I stumble in the darkness of my own making, he stands ready to offer hope that will not disappoint. Rest for my weary soul and forgiveness ready to cover my sin. When I choose to follow this ancient path, surrendering my will to the Father, the way becomes clear before me. It’s like feeling the cool mist of the waterfall on a hot day. Relief in knowing I am not alone on this journey.
Today, the question is not whether I can find my way back to God. He has already shown me the path—and he’s been waiting at the crossroads the whole time. The only question is whether I’ll choose to walk it.
Prayer: Lord, I am tired of trying to forge my way through my own path. Help me see the way forward as I seek to walk with you.
Reflection: What obstacles keep me from walking the path I know God has laid before me?