For my people have done two evil things. They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all! Jeremiah 2:13
A career. A marriage. How did these good things become toxic to the two people who clung to them?
In ancient times, people relied on cisterns for security. Cisterns were containers used to collect and store water, usually carved into rock or built underground. A cracked cistern might look fine, but it would never satisfy thirst or sustain life.
God used the picture of a cracked cistern to describe for us how futile it is to rely on anything other than Him for hope in this life. To people of ancient days, and to us as well, God said, “For my people have done two evil things. They have abandoned me—the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!” (Jeremiah 2:13).
Today, our water comes from a faucet, but we dig “cisterns” of other kinds.
Evan lost his job just before retirement age. He’d sacrificed his marriage and family for his career. A job offer was made, then suddenly rescinded. One year stretched to two and no new opportunity emerged. Evan was devastated as he watched his security and self-worth slowly draining out of the cistern he’d dug.
All Claire had ever really wanted was to be married. She was swept off her feet by a man with a magnetic personality. But in that first year of marriage, rage began to surface in her husband, and later, immoral behavior. Claire couldn’t imagine herself divorced. For over two decades, she tried to fill up her cracked cistern.
Think for a moment. Have you been digging your own cracked cistern? God freely offers fresh, living water to you, today.
