August 10th, 2022

​8-10-22
Broken cisterns
Today's devotion is based on Jeremiah 2:12-13, where we hear the words of God concerning the nation of Isreal, "Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the LORD, for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
 
If you have read the Old Testament texts, you will notice how quickly the nation of God, the One who made them, who loved them beyond measure, would turn from Him. They would often still proclaim Him as their God. They would still worship Him, but in reality, they had left him for other gods.
 
Each of us has a choice to make, just like the people of Isreal had to make; God or the things of the world. It is not an easy choice, for we naturally turn toward the things of the world. God chose the people of Isreal so they would not only walk in accordance with his commandments but, in doing so, be a witness to those of the world. God chose us to be people here on this earth, at this time, so we can walk in His ways and be a witness to the world.
 
Society, for the most part, no longer takes God into account. Those in government, chosen by society, work as if this life is all we have to consider. It is as if we, as a nation, can make a perfect society without God. Just like in Jeremiah's time, one misfortune and hardship after another has affected our country. It is time for each of us to hear once more the voice of God to repent and live according to his desires, not the desires of the world.
 
Please pray with me; Lord, I am surrounded by people who no longer care about you. Too many times, I, too, have not lived as you desire. I, too, have built cisterns that do not hold your living water. Please forgive me, for Jesus' sake. Help me to listen to Your voice, as it is written in the Bible. In Jesus' blessed name, I pray. Amen.