(2) We Are Thirsty.

We are thirsty people who are constantly looking to have something inside of us quenched. We search for life but often in the wrong places. Jeremiah writes how the Israelites have turned from God and are looking to worthless idols for life and satisfaction. They are trying to quench their thirst apart from God. 

We are Thirsty.

"For my people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns- broken cisterns that can hold no water." Jeremiah 2:13

So what is a cistern? It is defined as an artificial reservoir (such as an underground tank) for storing liquids and especially water. 

God identifies himself as living water. The Israelites had seen God’s goodness but after some time their love for the Lord grew cold. They began to look to other places for life and fulfillment. It eventually led to widespread idolatry which Jeremiah captures so vividly in the prose. It is also true of us that we want to quench the thirst in our souls but find ourselves with containers of our own creation that are broken, cracked and leaking. The idols that we create for ourselves never satisfy in the long run. Idols, broken cisterns that they are, do not quench our hearts' search for life.

What are our idols?

We often think idolatry is not something we struggle with here in the 21st century. Tim Keller shattered my illusion when I read his book Counterfeit Gods. Keller writes, “The human heart” is an 'idol factory' that takes good things like a successful career, love, material possessions, even family, and turns them into ultimate things.” 

Our idols are the broken cisterns we dig for ourselves. I have come to discover my own propensity for idolatry through the years. So let us take some time to reflect.

What are the idols in our lives? 

Is it success & achievement? Is it a certain income?

Is it control? 

Is it acceptance? Is it instagram?

Is it your political activism? 

Is it even your favorite sports team? 

Ask the Lord to reveal any idols in your heart and remove them from the place only HE can fill.

How Can I Apply It?

Good things are good but they can’t be our God…they can’t be where our heart searches for life and fulfillment. The health & wholeness of our soul depends on going to God with our thirst, our aches, and our longing for life and life abundantly. God is the one that satisfies. Let us drink deeply of the Living Water that comes from him. God is not broken, cracked or leaking...Let us not worship the good things in life but worship God and God alone who gives us true peace and true joy. 

Go with God this week, friends.
Patrick.

A FINAL THOUGHT.

"You've made us, O Lord, for yourself. And our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you." - St. Augustine