Jeremiah 6:16 So says the Lord, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is, and walk in it, and you shall find rest for your souls.” But they said, “We will not walk in it.”
Today it seems every “Tom, Dick and Harry” wants to claim the title of either “Prophet” or “Apostle”. Their claim to authenticity is often to use the following scripture (I believe taken out of context): Isaiah 43:19-20 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
However, we need to interpret scripture in light of other scriptures to get a true interpretation:
Isaiah 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
All Bible scholars would agree that this scripture in Isaiah 40 has to do with the coming of John the Baptist. The “new thing” was a change from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant; a change that John announced and introduced the Lord Jesus Christ.
I heard a wise old Bible Teacher once say: “If it’s true, it isn’t new; and if it’s new, it isn’t true.” This from a servant of the Lord who had seen many “new things” that were supposed to have happened but were nothing more than departing from the truth to draw followers after themselves.
Notice the Word of the Lord through Jeremiah of what God said:
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firstly; again notice: “So says the Lord”
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Secondly; “stand in the way and see”. Time to stop, examine, analyze, determine, consider – where we are as opposed to where we should be. Of a truth it is obvious that the church in general today is far below the New Testament standard; as it was at the beginning. I think many are concerned and have sought answers as to the reason – and unfortunately have come up with the confusion and conflicting ideas we see and hear about today.
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Thirdly; the Lord’s instruction is: “ask for the old paths and walk in it”. Did you notice the absence of the word “new”? The “new thing” the Lord spoke of started 2000 years ago; and it is complete and perfect. There is no need for another “new thing”, but rather a return to the “old new thing”. A return to “first principles” is what is needed. Nothing we can do or expect today can match what God began 2000 years ago. Returning to New Testament methods and principles will return us to New Testament results and power.
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Lastly, the result will be: “Rest for your souls”. A ceasing from human striving and letting the Lord work through His Holy Spirit amongst His people.
In Jeremiah’s day the response of the people was: “We will not walk in it.” The result was there was no revival and liberty for God’s people. The same effect can be seen today. What help are the so-called “Apostles and Prophets” to the church universal today? All I see is confusion – which God is NOT the author of. (1 Corinthians 14:33)
NO, we do not, nor should we seek “a new thing”, but rather ask the Lord to lead us back to the old paths and the good way and experience real revival and power. The current trend exalts man; the real thing humbles us and gives God all the glory. Jesus will be lifted up and the true “new thing” will be evident in our churches and lives.
I asked the question: “Is revival something new?”
It may be new to you and your church. It may be new to your city or location. It is certainly not new in the Kingdom of God. Revival is a return to “first principles”; a return to basics; a return to scripture – a return to God.
Peter Crause
This is not copyrighted and may be freely used and distributed.
e-mail: crause.pd@shaw.ca
