As an avid reader, my life is full of books. I have even written them myself. We are always looking for wisdom for our lives: Better ways of living, solutions to our many dysfunctions and challenges, new ways of looking at what are old problems. In truth, the nature of our problems is not new. Sin and brokenness and the need for healing and wholeness is as old as the fall of man. 

There are many in the Christian world today who are looking for new ways forward. For some, this includes what they call the “deconstruction of their faith.” And certainly, there are things we have been taught and practices of churches that have hurt rather than helped us in our spiritual lives. Legalism, lack of radical grace, or thinking that we need to earn God’s favor are examples of Christian culture that need to be left behind. We have plenty of man-made rules, regulations, or practices that we erroneously think are biblical and God ordained that are in fact, man made constructs. These should be deconstructed. 

But what we often forget is that the way forward is behind us. This is how the Lord puts it in Jeremiah 6:16. “Stand by the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” While we often want new highways, some kind of new or trendy spirituality, the way to the life that pleases God and provides rest and fulfillment for our souls are ancient paths that he has laid out for His people in the Scriptures. It is there that we find peace, rest, and real solutions to our brokenness and need.

The way forward is actually behind us. It is found in the Scriptures. For all the reading we might do, podcasts we might listen to, or accounts we might follow on social media from innovative thinkers, the one truest source of wisdom for faith and life is found in God’s word. The Psalmist calls His word, the Light for our path. Jeremiah calls Scripture the ancient paths. Jesus said that “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” 

Jeremiah tells us to stand at the crossroads, those places in our lives where we need help and answers, and to ask for the ancient paths. In your life, with all those who claim to have answers to life, with new and trendy solutions bandied about, always go back to the ancient paths. They are the way forward. 

How much time do you spend in the Scriptures? How well do you know it? How often do you consult God’s word? Some of us have never actually read His whole book. There are many Bible reading plans to choose from, if that is you. Paul reminds us that everything we need for faith and godliness is found in His word. Don’t neglect the ancient paths.

Father. Thank you for your Word which is a lamp to my feet and a light for my paths. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end. Give me a love for your word. Amen.