When standing at a crossroad, the one thing we really need is direction and guidance. What a comforting thing it is to know that even when we are faced with the biggest and most difficult decisions in life, God makes known to us the paths that will bring life.

Our text today is Jeremiah 6:16. This one verse is brief, yet very profound in its implications. It provides a roadmap, if you will, for finding God’s direction.

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.” (NLT)

This message of Jeremiah was given in the context of calling a wayward people back to God. Earlier in their history Moses had led the children of Israel out of Egypt. Even though God had manifested His power greatly in these events, the children of Israel kept falling back into idolatry. But the God of the Bible, kept trying to lead them back to Himself. So, He sent prophets with messages to warn them. Sadly, Israel would not follow the message God gave Jeremiah to deliver. And they paid dearly for taking the wrong path at the crossroad – the ancient nation of Babylon invaded the southern kingdom of Israel, destroying Jerusalem and taking the people into captivity.

Chances are, for the most part, we represent people who have already returned to God and desire to follow His leading in our lives. Still, there is some excellent direction in Jeremiah 6:16 that is not limited to Israel of old. It is applicable to God’s children – you and me and collectively, the church today – as we look for God’s direction for our way forward at the crossroad.

Let’s start with noticing who is speaking – it is the LORD Himself. “This is what the LORD says:” is a phrase meant to announce to us that what follows is very important for us to hear. How should we respond? We should listen. If we want to know God’s direction for our life, or for a particular situation, we need to believe God is willing and able to communicate with us. And we need to learn to recognize and listen to God’s voice with focused attention. So, let’s focus on what God is saying to us through our text. In particular, we are going to focus on the verbs – the action words – in Jeremiah 6:16.

The first action we are told to take is to ‘Stop’. “Stop at the crossroads …” Stopping implies we desist from or suspend what it is we are doing. Any time we hear the command to stop, we automatically know that there is a reason that such a statement was made. So, when God tells us to stop, intuitively we should know it is for our own good. 

Like the people of Judah in our text, we are at a crossroad. We have decisions to make. Some of them will shape our future based on the direction that we take. 

Sometimes we get so caught up with what we are doing or what has been done that we do not even realize that we are approaching a crossroad. Jeremiah 6:16 helpfully tells us when we are approaching a crossroad to stop – not to rush forward. In times of change and decision when we need to determine our direction, rather than charging ahead, we need to stop for a while.



Next, we are to ‘Look’. “Stop at the crossroads and look around.” Looking implies we direct our eyes in order to see. We are doing the looking – using our powers of vision and discernment to help ourselves. 

As we stop at the crossroad and look, we must realize that all roads don’t lead to the same place. Often times we don’t look far enough down the road before we make a decision. We should look as far as we can down the different roads – gather as much information as we can about all the possible outcomes for each path we could choose.

What are the likely results of going in each of the directions that we could take? Sometimes we cannot foresee all the possibilities, opportunities, or dangers that a certain way holds for us. And sometimes the right path doesn’t look as pleasing to us as one of the alternatives. That is why the next step is vital.

We are told to ‘Ask’. “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way …” Asking implies seeking direction and guidance. We are going beyond our own abilities, recognizing there is a wisdom beyond ourselves in God and in other people that may benefit us as we seek God’s will for our lives. 

The word ‘ask’ is repeatedly used in Scripture to express making a personal request for God’s guidance. As we stand at our crossroad not sure which way to go, God tells us to ask Him for wisdom. The godly way is the path of faith, spiritual worship, ethical conduct and obedience. God’s way is good because it was ordained of God from eternity and set in the structure of reality. God’s ways have been tested and found to be true. They have always been the pillars of any true understanding of human life and history and they will always remain so. These ways are not hidden nor are they secret, for they are always in view of those who ask for them. But not many people are willing to ask for direction. We must learn to inquire of God which way to go. And we must stay on our face before God to be as certain as we can that we do not miss His will and that we allow Him to lead us. At all of our crossroads in life, we must ask God to guide and direct us in all our decisions before we take any actions.

The next thing we are told to do is ‘Walk’. “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it …” Walking implies moving forward. There comes a moment when we need to get moving.

It is not enough to simply see the good way. It’s not enough even to recognize that it is good. We have to actually enter into that way and walk in it – to follow that way and make it our way of life. 

Once we’ve received instruction and guidance, then it is up to us to take action, to take responsibility for the direction of our life.

The very instant we know the right path to take in any circumstances, we must step out and begin to walk in the direction God has revealed.

Then we are told to ‘Travel’. “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path …” Travel implies taking a journey, typically of some length. Once we take those first steps to walk in the right path, to make a move, we then need to travel in it. Walking is something we might do casually. When we travel, we commit to the journey. We commit in this particular area of our life to follow God’s plan and His ways.

The verse ends with a promise, we will ‘Find’. “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.” Find implies discovering or attaining something. As we travel on the right path, we will find rest. There is an important distinction to notice here – one I missed until it was pointed out to me in my reading.

The soul rest that we will find is not at the end of the journey down God’s path. Our soul finds rest because we are traveling down God’s path – doing the things He wants us to do. Soul rest actually takes place when and while we are actively doing the things directed of God! If we follow the directions set out in Jeremiah 6:16, we will have the assurance that comes from knowing the path that we’re taking has been shaped by using our best abilities of discernment and observation as well as the revelation of God.