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Writer's pictureMatt Beaney

#1107. Digging cracked cisterns (25/7/24)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. Today, we continue the theme of seeking rest and help from God by considering how we can all turn from God as the source of our rest and strength, and turn to idols. 


To watch this devotional, follow the link below:


‘My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.’ (Jeremiah 2:13) 

What is God confronting in this text? As you read this chapter you read a heartbreaking account of love for God turning to idolatry. Their first love is described at the beginning of the chapter: 

‘The word of the Lord came to me: “Go and proclaim in the hearing of Jerusalem: This is what the Lord says:I remember the devotion of your youth, how as a bride you loved me and followed me through the wilderness, through a land not sown. Israel was holy to the Lord, the firstfruits of his harvest…”’ (Jeremiah 2:1-3) 

However, they turned from devotion to God to idols. We read of how the leaders - priests, leaders and prophets -  influenced the people toward unfaithfulness:

‘The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.’ (Jeremiahs 2:8)

Of Baal worship, the ESV Study notes say:

‘Baal was a Canaanite storm god. Considered the source of fertility, he was thought to make the earth and women bear fruit. Such power was important in an agricultural economy. Worship practices included sexual activities for men and women at sacred shrines. Thus, people could worship money, sex, and power and be considered righteous for doing so.’ 

Our text from Jeremiah 2:13. summarises idolatry as:  

‘My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.’ (Jeremiah 2:13)

Why would anyone give up ‘the spring of living water’ - God’s presence - for cisterns that are broken and hold no water? We can liken this to being supported in the desert in an oasis supplied by a spring of fresh water, but choosing to leave this ‘eden’ to go into the desert and dig our own wells. 

All humans have done this. We have all turned away from the true God for idols and unbelief. Today we must ask if we are doing this? Jesus promises us:

‘Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”’ (John 4:13-14) 

Rather than listening to Jesus’ invitation we dig cracked cisterns as we choose to listen to advice that may be good but doesn’t put Jesus at the heart of things. 


Jesus is the spring of living water. His presence satisfies. His presence is life. Let’s keep coming to drink from Him as our greatest priority and joy. 

 

Community group notes and study


1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 


2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you? 


3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.


4. Study and pray together

Our message on Sunday followed the theme of rest. We can seek rest in the wrong places and we can become burnt out and so hide and run away from the pressures of life. However, if we listen to God regarding a wise approach to work and rest, and if we truly seek to draw our rest and strength from Him, we will thrive and be a blessing to many. 


Please read Exodus 35:1-3 and Genesis 2:1-3


  • Did God speak to you about anything specifically from Sunday’s message?

  • What would you say these passages teach us regarding a wise balance of work and rest?

  • It’s interesting to see that, in Exodus 35, He reminds people of the six-and-one principle before going on to task them with the hard work of making The Tabernacle. What are the principles that we can learn from this? 

  • Please read Hebrews 4:1-10; How is the Sabbath command (of Exodus 20:8-11) fulfilled in Christ? How do you ensure that you keep this kind of sabbath? 

  • Please read Matthew 11:28-30; How do we, or how can we, seek to live in the good of this promise? 

  • SIV - How will a godly and wise balance of rest and work ensure that we remain faithful in Serving, investing and InViting? 

  • SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?

  • SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus. 

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