We are in a very important moment right now. It is a time to stop, look, ask, listen, & then walk. Over the past several days, Holy Spirit has brought several verses from Jeremiah 6 forward in multiple ways to me highlighting their importance for this very season. Let's take a look at these Scriptures & then unpack them.
"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.’
I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But you said, ‘We will not listen.’"
"...For the spoiler shall suddenly come upon us."-Jeremiah 6:16-17, 26b
STOP AND LOOK
Right now I believe God is telling us to stand by the roads we are walking on and look. Another version says "stand in the ways and see." In order to stand, we must STOP first. We need to take inventory and examine closely the path we are on and the path ahead. Stand still. Look backward and forward. Evaluate where your feet are placed.
STAND AND ASK
Then ask....Ask God to reveal to you the old ways and the ancient paths.
Ask for wisdom to know where the good way is.
Is there some way I need to redirect my steps now, Father?
Am I simply treading the common familiar paths,
or is there a better way You have for me and my family?
Some of us have jumped onto the hamster wheel. If we would stop and look, we could see that we are exerting a whole lot of effort but not making progress toward those things that carry the most value eternally. We have been so busy running and striving we haven't noticed that we aren't getting where God has called us to go.
"Cease striving and know that I am God." -Psalm 46:10a
BRING FORTH THE OLD
For many, God is desiring to bring us into something new (to us)......that is actually quite old.
There are rhythms, disciplines, and knowledge we as Christians and as a society have lost along the way to our detriment.....from how we get & process our food, manage our lives & time, to how we do church, community, and raise our families. God is bringing these back, the ancient ways, if we will ask and look.
Besides restoring ancient practices, God is giving his people the desire to learn old skills. A few of these are Sabbath rest, meditation on Scripture, connection to nature & the land, silence & solitude, growing and cooking slow nutrient dense foods, seasonal work cycles, and creating an open door for hospitality.
Some are sensing the call to homestead and steward the land wherever they are at. Others are sensing the call to develop an Acts 2 authentic thriving community. Some have the burden to initiate & foster healthy bonds between local churches in their area. Many are being nudged to establish systems for personal and community provision and resiliency.
Likewise in the spiritual realm God is bringing forth treasure both new and old. For the seekers, God is revealing the hidden manna and unveiling revelation that has been sealed regarding the deep mysteries in Scripture. These treasures & scrolls are critical for the times we are entering.
"Then He told them, “For this reason, every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.” -Matthew 13:52
"It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out."-Proverbs 25:2
LISTEN TO THE TRUMPET
This is also an important time to stop and listen to the sound of the trumpet. God has set Watchmen over us in this season who have a higher viewpoint. Historically watchmen stood on the top of the city wall or in a tower where they could see ahead in the distance to warn about what was coming. There are men and women of God who are seeing glimpses of what is coming and they are sounding the alarm.
Also, pay attention to your dreams in this season. God will often warn and give direction in our dreams when we seek Him. If we ask and listen, Jesus will guide us as our good Shepherd to pasture, water, safety, and shelter.
Prayerfully, we must tune in to God's warnings given through his watchmen, as well as, discern how Holy Spirit is directing us personally to prepare for the times ahead....prudently, not out of fear.
CLOTHED IN SCARLET
Of the Proverbs 31 woman, Scripture says that "she laughs without fear of the future". Why? Because she was clothed with strength, dignity, and the fear of the Lord. Also, she had prepared for the winter season and her family was clothed in scarlet. This has a two fold meaning.
First, she had looked ahead with prudence, stewarded her resources, and worked vigorously so her family had what they physically needed to stay warm and full in the cold season ahead.
Secondly, being clothed in scarlet is spiritually symbolic of being covered by the blood of the lamb. We can laugh without fear of the future when we know our household is saved and redeemed through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. We trust that his blood is on our doorpost just as in Exodus 12 and the spoiler/destroyer must pass over our home.
"When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet." -Proverbs 31:21
WALK IN IT
It isn't enough to stop, look, ask and listen. Next, we must WALK in the way God has shown us. This is obedience prompted by faith.
I believe if we will take time in this season to stand, look, ask, listen, and walk in the good way God shows us, that the touch and effect of the Spoiler upon our homes and families will be greatly diminished.
God gives us a promise from Jeremiah 6:16 if we take the ancient paths. The promise is that we will find REST for our souls. Precious rest. What a gift to have the invitation of our Father to enter into His rest no matter what season we are in.
"And He will be the stability of your times, A wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; The fear of the LORD is his treasure."-Isaiah 33:6