Shade Tree Wisdom 5/20/08

Jeremiah,the weeping prophet, said this: 1”6 God's Message yet again: "Go stand at the crossroads and look around. Ask for directions to the old road, The tried and true road. Then take it. Discover the right route for your souls. But they said, 'Nothing doing. We aren't going that way.'” Jer. 6,16.

This all comes to mind because in my walk this morning the world seemed so at peace. Birds twittering, children waiting their daily ride, people taking dogs for their morning walk, leaving for work, doing some last minute fussing before leaving the house. I thought of Historian Martin Marty’s phrase about the 50’s in America. “The decade when everything worked”.

BUT, just yesterday a retired, nearly blind, teacher is burned to death in a fire set by an angry neighbor. Massive quakes shatter lives and destructive storms rage and destroy and leave suffering in their wake. The world seems to be a place where nothing is right any more. What are we to do? Where look for help? And Jeremiah comes to mind.

Here is a prophet who lived and worked during one of the most disruptive periods of Israel’s history. The fall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian captivity. He experienced it all, and he lived and spoke during those times, and this was his message. “Ask for the old ways.” Turn back to God. His is the tried and true way.

And that is the Word today for us. It must be. It is the only true and right way. In short, turn back to the Bible for leadership and wisdom, and the truth. We have the way, we know the Bible, and yet there is always the danger of slipping away, of being misled. St. Paul warned us that “Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” 2 Cir. 11,14. This the warning, “3 However, I'm afraid that as the snake deceived Eve by its tricks, so your minds may somehow be lured away from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. 4 When someone comes to you telling about another Jesus whom we didn't tell you about, you're willing to put up with it. When you receive a spirit that is different from the Spirit you received earlier, you're also willing to put up with that. When someone tells you good news that is different from the Good News you already accepted, you're willing to put up with that too” 2 Cor 11,3.4.(GW).

God’s Word is reliable, true, and dependable in this century too. Return to it often, Make it your guide and sure defense, and let it always remind you that Jesus Christ died for you. It will keep you strong, calm your fears, and give you peace at the last. I pray this for you.

GPD 5/20/08