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Keep the main thing the main thing. Get back to the basics. Maintain your first love. Stay on the straight and narrow. Seek the ancient paths.
There are many ways to express the importance of retaining our focus as we move forward.
The Holy Spirit is described as our Guide. In John 16:13, Jesus promises, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”
Waze, Google Maps, and other technology provide us with GPS coordinates and directions that follow the path of least traffic, guiding us from point A to point B. Yet the most up-to-date GPS cannot help us make the most important decisions about what direction we should take.
Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the Lord says:
“Stand at 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.
But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
This verse in Jeremiah has been a powerful reminder and gentle guide as I seek God’s wisdom. Here are the four reflections the Spirit has revealed through His guidance:
1. “Stand at the crossroads and look...” When we are at a crossroads, needing to make a decision, we must pause. For me, this means quieting the other noise and taking a moment to look around—assess where we are and where we want to go, through prayer. I cannot barrel forward full steam ahead without first stopping to stand, look, and pray.
2. “Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is...” God honors those who ask for wisdom (James 1:5), clarification (Acts 8:31), and direction (John 14:4-5), even when we ask with doubt or confusion.
3. “And you will find rest for your souls.” There is a promise when we walk the ancient paths. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. On the ancient paths, we will find rest for our souls (Matt. 11:28-29).
4. “And walk in it... But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’” He who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins (James 4:17). And he who hears the words of God but does not put them into practice is foolish (Matt. 7:24-27). So, when God has made the ancient paths clear, we must soften our hearts, trust and obey, and walk with Him.
As I seek the ancient paths, with the Spirit as my guide, I will pause, pray, ask, rest, and walk with Him. God’s way is best, even if it seems old-fashioned. Will you join me on the ancient paths?
Want to learn more about listening to the Spirit? Week 5 of Called to Listen has seven listening exercises focused on listening to the Holy Spirit.
#IronRoseSister #HolySpirit #ancientpaths
RUACH
By Michelle J. Goff
He hovered over the waters... Ruach.
And the Spirit of the Lord kept moving, never dormant... Ruach!
Descended as a cloud and a pillar of fire to guide; a cloud again, resting on the elders to prophesy... Ruach.
Imparted wisdom to Joshua, judges, and kings; Gideon blew a trumpet, Samson defeated foes... the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon them... Ruach!
Poured out to prophesy, lead, judge, and rule... wisdom and understanding characterized the Spirit’s presence in the lives of the anointed... Ruach.
Anointed as God’s chosen kings, Saul, David, and Solomon were inspired by the Spirit to speak, were filled by the Spirit to lead, and were empowered by the Spirit to defeat the enemy... Ruach!
But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul. Silence.
Disobedience, rejection, an enemy of the Lord... Silence.
David bore witness to the tormented evil spirit in Saul; the absence of the Spirit of the Lord. Silence.
“Take not your Holy Spirit from me,” Ruach!
David experienced the indwelling of the Spirit... Ruach.
May the Spirit of the Lord rest upon me... Ruach.
May He pour out wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might, knowledge and fear of the Lord... Ruach!
Who can fathom the Spirit of the Lord? May I never tire of the quest to contemplate Him and His presence... Ruach.
Use me to proclaim good news to the poor; bind up the brokenhearted; proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Ruach, breathe new life into me as you did for the faithful of old.
Guide me in your ways and instruct my plans.
Come upon me powerfully and speak through me as you did through the prophets of another day. Ruach!
I do not expect a double-portion like Elisha, but that I may rest in Your presence, taste of your goodness, and never experience the pain of your departure.
Ruach... Ruach... Ruach!
(Note: Ruach is the Hebrew word for the Spirit of the Lord)
#IronRoseSister #HolySpirit #Ruach
