Jeremiah 6:16: “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” There comes a moment in every believer’s life when they reach the end of themselves—when all earthly solutions fail, when fear grips the soul, when the abyss seems near. It is in that moment, when the heart cries out, that the Lord answers. Salvation does not come through self-improvement, religious ritual, or good works—it is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. See Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Yet faith is more than acknowledging Christ—it requires a change of mind about sin, self, and the Savior. This is a heart decision, a surrender to God’s truth. See Acts 3:19: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
Seek the Old Paths of Scripture
Salvation comes in that moment when a person realizes their absolute need for the Savior, when they abandon self-reliance and fully trust in Christ. He hears, He comes, and He carries us through, filling the desperate soul with peace that passes all understanding.
The Weight of Holiness and the Fear of the Lord
After salvation, life continues—but so do trials. There are moments when we forget God’s Holiness. We let fear creep in, and that fear breeds doubt, depression, and anxiety. We lose sight of the narrow path. But even in the darkest times, God remains holy, holy, holy. See Isaiah 6:3: “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”
He reminds us of His holiness when we stray, when we doubt, when we feel we are slipping away. And in that moment, just as quickly as doubt enters, He reaches out His hand, pulls us back, and restores our peace.
Few Find the Narrow Path
The Bible speaks clearly of two paths:
- The Narrow Path: The way of life, faith, holiness, and obedience to God’s Word. Few find it, but it leads to eternal rest.
- The Broad Path: The way of the world, deception, fleeting pleasures, and rebellion. Many choose this road, but it leads to destruction.
See Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
We are called to walk the old paths, the ways ordained by God—not the new philosophies of men, not the shifting opinions of the world, but the unchanging truth found in Scripture.
The Call to Return: A Warning for Modern Churches
Many modern churches reject the old paths in favor of cultural relevance and self-centered doctrine. Lukewarm evangelical and non-denominational churches have traded Biblical truth for entertainment, minimizing sin, avoiding true repentance, and turning worship into a spectacle rather than reverence for God. They preach watered-down messages that tickle ears but lack substance, embracing prosperity theology, universalism, or hyper-grace doctrines that deny the necessity of holiness.
Yet Scripture warns against this Spiritual compromise. See 2 Timothy 3:5: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
Many refuse to preach the fear of the Lord, the reality of judgment, or the necessity of a change of heart regarding sin. They have embraced the world’s philosophies, preaching tolerance for sin rather than calling people to acknowledge their need for transformation. But God does not change. His Holiness still demands reverence, obedience, and surrender.
True rest is found in the paths God has set before us. When we stray, He calls us back—not with condemnation, but with love, mercy, and holiness. He reminds us in the moment when we need Him most.
Pressing Forward in Faith
When doubt comes, when trials press hard, when the world tempts us away—we must remember:
- God is always in control
- He never fails to restore His children
- He remains holy, holy, holy—yesterday, today, and forever
Walking the old paths isn’t about tradition—it’s about truth, obedience, and life. In that moment when you are overwhelmed, turn back to Him. He will carry you through.
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