Scripture Focus:
“And when your people ask, ‘Why did the Lord our God do all this to us?’ you must reply, ‘You rejected him and gave yourselves to foreign gods in your own land. Now you will serve foreigners in a land that is not your own.’ They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’”
—Jeremiah 5:19, 24 NLT

“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!”’”
—Jeremiah 6:16 NLT

“Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance.”
—John 12:3 NLT

“Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.”
—John 12:25–26 NLT


Reflection:
It is heartbreaking to read how God’s children rejected such an awesome and wonderful Father.
The flesh is strong. The New Testament reminds us:
“We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort.” —Philippians 3:3 NLT

How did this happen? This is always the answer: they lost the fear of the Lord. As Jeremiah writes:
“They do not say from the heart, ‘Let us live in awe of the Lord our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right.’” —Jeremiah 5:24 NLT
They were no longer in awe of Him.
Digging Deeper:
 The word for “awe” here is yareʾ — it means more than fear. It carries the sense of deep reverence, amazement, and honor toward God that compels worshipful obedience. It’s awe that shapes our posture, our decisions, and our daily walk with Him.
This is why God calls His people back, saying:
“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.” —Jeremiah 6:16 NLT

Digging Deeper: 
The phrase “old, godly way” uses the Hebrew word nethivah — meaning a well-worn, proven path. It’s not new or trendy; it’s the ancient way of walking with God in covenant faithfulness. It’s the road that leads to life, the one that has carried His faithful ones for generations.
They didn’t do what the Psalmist teaches:
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” —Psalm 37:4 NLT
Instead, their relationship with God wasn’t exciting or satisfying to their flesh—so they went chasing after other things they thought would fulfill their desires. But all along, it was God who wanted to fulfill them. He is the fountain of living water. The one that completes us. 
Such a contrast to the love and admiration that Mary and her family had for Jesus. She poured out her costly perfume, an act of extravagant worship. Her love and devotion filled the whole house with fragrance.
Jesus reminds us:
“Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” —John 12:25–26 NLT
This is why He tells us:
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” —Matthew 6:19–21 NLT
And again:
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” —Colossians 3:2 NLT
Mary understood this—her treasure wasn’t in this world, but in Him.


Lesson for Me:
If I can see how easily hearts drift from the love of God, then I must guard mine with all diligence. “Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?” (James 4:4). I will not seek fulfillment in empty things, but will “take delight in the Lord” (Psalm 37:4) and set my mind “on the things of heaven, not the things of earth” (Colossians 3:2). My treasure, my joy, and my life are in Him alone (Matthew 6:19–21).

Application Questions (for journaling):

1. In what ways can I actively delight myself in the Lord this week?
2. What “crossroads” am I standing at, and am I asking for the “old, godly way”?
3. What would it look like to pour out something costly in worship, like Mary did?
4. Are there areas where I’ve been seeking satisfaction apart from God? What needs to change?
5. How can I guard my heart from drifting toward friendship with the world?
6. What does storing up treasure in heaven look like for me in this season of life?
7. 
   

Now sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him to reveal where your heart needs realignment, and write down what He speaks to you.

Prayer 🙏:
Lord, help me never to lose my awe of You. I don’t want a cold, lifeless relationship—I want to delight in You, to find my joy in You. Forgive me when I chase after things that cannot satisfy. Teach me to walk in the old, godly way, to store up my treasure in heaven, and to keep my mind fixed on what is eternal. Keep me close to You, Jesus, and help me follow You wherever You are. Amen.
🍃
Takeaway Thought:
True rest and joy are found only when I walk the old, godly path, delighting in the Lord and keeping my treasure in Him alone.