"The only way to be happy is to be holy."
"The way of religion (Christianity) and godliness is a good old way, the way that all the saints in all ages have walked in."
"...multitudes are ruined for ever by downright willfulness."

- Above quotes given by Matthew Henry
 
In the face of a national calamity, the Prophet Jeremiah called the people back to the days of firm and loyal devotion to God. Unfortunately, his words fell upon deaf ears.
 
Many of God's servants, at this hour, are also hearing the sounds of judgment on the horizon and are calling the church back to the way of righteousness and godliness - the way of faith and holiness.
Sad but true - many "believers" are disregarding or refusing to heed the warnings. They are living in a state of denial. They do not consider things to be as bad as some suppose. They have adopted an "easy-believism," and no one can seem to stir them from it.
 
The Prophet Jeremiah's call to repentance is recorded in 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."
 
Jeremiah was calling the people to "ponder the paths of their feet" (Proverbs 4:26). Their forefathers were blessed, prosperous, and enjoyed the favor of the Almighty. But this generation had lost something along the way. For one, they could not find "rest" for their souls. They were constantly lusting after a "new" thing or another idol to satisfy the cravings of their flesh.
 
The Lord God, through the Prophet, cried out to the people - "...Stand ye in the ways, and see..." In other words, consider where you are headed. Don't proceed rashly. Where is this particular "new and liberated lifestyle" leading? If you are such a "free" people, then why are you so bound by sin and your enemies?
 
The former age - their forefathers - walked in the "old paths" - the "paths" prescribed by the Word of God - "the highway of holiness" - the way of self-denial - and the Lord's blessing was upon them as a result. They kept closely to the way of holiness; they practiced the principles as outlined in the Law. It was indeed a "good way" for it brought "rest unto their souls" and prosperity to their lives. Because they chose righteousness over sin, God's Blessing was upon them.

In this message, we will examine several verses. May the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts and reveal to us where we stand in our relationship to Him.
 
Deuteronomy 5:33 - "Ye shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may go well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess."
 
God desires that His people...enjoy life...have things go well for them...have good come to them for the welfare of their bodies and the salvation of their souls. The only way that these blessings could ever be a reality is for them to "walk in all the ways which the LORD...God hath commanded..."
 
Please take note that the Scripture does not charge the believer to "walk" in some of God's ways - but in "all."
 
What is our choice today? Will we "walk in all the ways which the LORD...God hath commanded," or will we be like those Israelites in Jeremiah's day who said - "We will not walk therein"?
 
Deuteronomy 28:9 - "The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto Himself, as He hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in His ways."
 
God makes and keeps His people holy by His wonder-working Grace. In response to this abundant Power, they are called to diligently obey His commands. He, in turn, establishes them as a holy people. He enters into an everlasting covenant with them, promising them rich blessings in return.
 
So many want to enjoy the "blessing of the LORD" which "maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:22). But they do not want to "walk in His ways" nor obey His commands in order to be fit to receive it.
 
This promise of blessing has a solemn condition attached to it.
Will we obey God and be blessed, or will we answer Him with this rebuttal - "We will not walk therein"? 
 
Joshua 22:5 - "But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and to cleave unto Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul."
 
Herein is excellent advice - saintly instruction for every believer.
It is a call to serious godliness. It requires a "diligent" consideration - a strict regard to God's  commandments which involves...loving Him wholeheartedly...walking in all of His ways...obeying Him... at all times, in every place, and under all conditions clinging to Him...as well as surrendering the entire life for His service and honor.
 
Loving, obeying, and cleaving unto Him can be summed up in these words - "walking in all His ways." We are called to a constant and sincere aim to lay aside our ways for His.
 
Are we "taking diligent heed" to "follow hard after the Lord" (Psalm 63:8), or do we still show some resistance by saying with our lifestyle - "We will not walk therein"?
 
Proverbs 2:7 - "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly."
 
Two of the greatest needs that we have as Christians today are for wisdom and protection. We live in very dark times when danger abounds - times in which we cannot afford to make any stupid mistakes.
 
For those who "walk uprightly," God promises to "lay up sound wisdom." This involves the liberal supplies of soundness, health, safety, understanding, knowledge, discernment, spiritual perception, success, and victory.
 
For those who "walk uprightly" - who are honest in their dealings with God and man...perform their duties faithfully...are devoted to His honor...and set apart for His service - He promises to be a shield about them. They are surrounded by His grace which enables them to avoid the "paths of the destroyer" (Psalm 17:4) and remain safe and blameless on the "paths of righteousness" Psalm 23:3).

Or are we indirectly saying with our hearts to the Lord - "We will not walk therein" - and resultantly, suffering the consequences of making wrong decisions and opening ourselves to unnecessary attacks of the enemy.
 
Galatians 5:16 - "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."
 
Many, in this day and hour, are being overcome by the passions, lusts, and corrupt desires of their own hearts. God has made provision for victory.
 
No safer, better, and easier way can be found than for the believer to yield himself to the influence,  guidance, and suggestions of the Holy Spirit. This is called "Walking in the Spirit..."
 
As already mentioned, "Walking in the Spirit..." involves being habitually responsive to His control. If we do that, we are promised absolute victory over the evil propensity of our flesh and the poison of sin. He will cause the Word to be our rule and the Grace of God to be our guiding principle. Our minds will be centered on spiritual things rather than earthly or worldly matters. 
 
So many would rather resort to man's philosophies, human resolutions, education, or  rehabilitation programs to assuage the awful influence and break the power of sin over their lives.  Their attitude is "We will not walk therein..." We will do it our way! Consequently, they are losing the battle every day and walking in total defeat.
 
God has many rich blessings in store for all those who will "walk in all His ways."
So many are forfeiting them because - whether directly or indirectly - knowingly or unknowingly - they are putting out a stiff arm to the Lord, while saying with their self-centered, rebellious lifestyle - "We will not walk therein."
 
We conclude this message by reiterating Pastor Henry's comments on this matter -

Do you want to be happy and escape the spiritual ruin that so many are facing today?
Then choose to "walk" in all of God's ways - not some of them - ALL!
 
Cry out to God to examine your heart and see if there is any "downright wilfulness" that would cause you to respond to His Word, by saying - "I will not walk therein."
 
Judgment should not be any people's final outcome.
God desires blessings for all.
But there is a solemn condition - "walk in all His ways."

Connie