The Way to Find Rest for Your Soul

DAY 214
5-3-10
JEREMIAH 4-6


Good Morning!

We search for peace in our hearts and lives in many places and many ways. Peace is that quiet, harmonious, and settled feeling when stress is low; problems are manageable; and emotions are good and positive. The most spiritually mature people among us are able to have peace no matter what is going on. Peace is so good for us, that God says it is actually an attribute of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Christian – “The fruit of the Spirit are love, joy, peace…” (Gal. 5:22). 

Jeremiah was inspired to show God’s people the way to peace. He writes in 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.”

If you lack peace in your life, have you ever considered that you lack peace and rest because of the “road” you are on? Often the Bible uses the term “road” or “path” or “way” to describe the kind of life we are living.

The Lord says that when we stand at the crossroads and have to choose the direction of our lives; choose the “ancient path” which is God’s way of righteous living. God says it a “good way.” When we walk in it, God will bless us with the rest we all need and desire.  Jesus says that rest is blessing of coming to him. He uses the same phrase as Jeremiah in Matthew 11:28-30, "rest for your souls."

I for one have found out many times that when I leave that ancient path; or seek my own way; or arrive at the crossroads and make poor choices; I suffer in my heart and soul. However, there is one thing that God does bless me with – when I stand at the crossroads and choose the wrong path – God is still with me. He helps me; and seeks to turn me back to his way. Why? Because he loves me and he is a good father.

Jeremiah 31:7-9 “Make your praises heard, and say, 'O Lord, save your people, the remnant of Israel.' See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labor; a great throng will return. They will come with weeping; they will pray as I bring them back. I will lead them beside streams of water on a level path where they will not stumble, because I am Israel's father…”

Barry