Read Jeremiah 2:9-13

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

It’s like leaving Niagara Falls for a leaky, cracked water tower. Or stepping away from a freshly flowing river to find refreshment in a cracked concrete pool that barely holds a puddle. The Israelites had exchanged the very Source of water for a cracked container full of nothing but nothing.

Having loosened themselves from the only one who could provide what they needed – and that in abundance – God’s people had wandered away from Him in search of other sources of life. They tried to find the water of life in places that only proved to be broken, leaky pits at best.

Can you relate? How many times have you or I pursued what is not God in search of what only He can provide? Have you ever tried to replace the Giver and Sustainer of life with what looked like it might be enough? Maybe it’s work or a certain relationship. Maybe it’s the pursuit of all things comfort or the need for control. It might be something that in and of itself is good, like your family or your ministry. Still, the truth holds strong – pursuing anything but God Himself for real life is pointless. There is only one God. You and I can only have one master.

This is another reason the Old Testament is important. It helps us identify the emptiness of pursuing anything but God.

Nothing is better than the Source itself. Everything the Israelites tried fell short. The same rings true for you and me. Let’s turn to God and let Him be our one true source of life.

Bria Wasson