No, That's Not The Road We Want!

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.[Jeremiah 6.16] 

Eleven years ago today, I wrote the article Rest For Your Soul. As simple as the message of that article in 2015 was then, it rings even more true today in 2026.

In my journey through the Word of God year upon year, I have become quite vocal about the subject of idolatry found throughout the Bible as it contrasts simple undivided trust in God alone. In fact, Jeremiah addresses this over and over in stern language. I have become emboldened by the Word to begin to decry man's industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. Of late, I have also seen how the institutionalized church has played a role not only in facilitating this idolatry among God's people, but even in promoting it (and certainly not speaking out against it).

So, what do we do?

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. [Jeremiah 6.16] 

God's people today have become just as embroiled in the self-centered endless pursuit of "more" as is the godless world. All the while, an old godly way with timeless relevance is clearly revealed in the Bible. This old godly way is the simple way of trusting God ALONE as opposed to trusting in man's way (himself) and his plethora of man-made idols for life's "essentials." 

Not ironically, man's estimation of "essentials" is molded by the clever advertisements of the idols of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. The institutional church as we know it has succumbed to the effective advertising of these idol industries and sadly, most even promote it. This occurs without a moment's recognition that these idols' advertisements not only invite people to trust in them (as opposed to trusting only in God), but do so with increasingly less subtle, and even glaring depictions of godless hedonistic and perverted lifestyles. But as long as the church is growing, God is in it, right? WRONG!

There are more every day, like myself, who are questioning the current chaos we call "life." They are beginning to see and question the real motivation behind the industries of finance, insurance, medicine and technology. Ultimately, they are asking, "What do we do?"

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. [Jeremiah 6.16] 

Jesus said it like this:

If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

In fact, Jesus' words above effectively sum up all of the Ten Commandments: 

“I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. “You must not murder. “You must not commit adultery. “You must not steal. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” [Exodus 20.2-17]

All ten of these old godly way commandments are fulfilled in Jesus Christ. However! Not a one of them is fulfilled for us unless we believe in Jesus. 

Jesus (Who existed before Creation) IS the old godly way.

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. [Jeremiah 6.16] 

Jesus, the old godly way, requires our full investment in Him. 

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6]

We are to give up our own way, take up our cross, and follow Him. We are allowed no baggage. The way of the world - man's way - is idolatry and we are given no exception to trust in a single idol. Although misunderstood through the ages and certainly so today in the age of highly advanced and covert idolatry, Jesus' words have simple but profound meaning:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [Matthew 6.33]

The world's idols and all who are controlled by them (including the institutional church) make all manner of exceptions to Jesus' red-letter demands above going so far as to deceive themselves that "God understands..." their non-compliance. The "crowds" don't get it. And, for this reason, Jesus gave the hauntingly true look at the condition of mankind today:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

So, again, what do we do?

I am afraid many have already decided what to do and, their decision is revealed in the full version of Jeremiah 6.16:

This is what the LORD says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’ [Jeremiah 6.16] 

Father in heaven, You must be highly grieved by our excuses and self-justifications which are nothing more than us replying, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’  May Your people return to Your Word with a passion that yields their giving up their own way, taking up their cross, and following Jesus. May Your people reciprocate a jealousy to trust You alone that matches Your jealousy to be trusted alone. So be it.