Just after Solomon was king of Israel, there was a split in the kingdom of Israel with Judah in the south and Israel in the north. During this time, God spoke through the prophet Jeremiah trying to tell the people of Judah to get back on course and follow God’s guidance.

He writes in 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!”

How similar is this to the attitude many people have today. They know right and wrong in their hearts, they can read God’s guidance in the bible, they can look and see people who have followed God’s direction and had peace and prosperity, but after all this input, many people still say, “no that is not the road we want.” They live their lives in opposition to the direction God has established, and wonder why things don’t work out for them.

Ultimately, Judah was overtaken, destroyed and its people were enslaved.

Dear Lord, You give us right and wrong in our consciences, you outline your will in the bible, and you provide us many wonderful Christians on which to model our lives. Help us use these things to keep us on the path that leads to your will. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.