Water is Basic

Jeremiah 2:13 "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water."

Water is Basic

My dad-in-law works in the medical profession as an anesthetist. That means he puts people to sleep for a living. I guess we have that in common about our professions! Anytime someone in my family gets sick, my dad-in-law always says, "Make sure you drink plenty of water!" Why? Water is basic. Water sustains life. Any substitute can not fully replace your need for water.

So often we can substitute what is life-giving for something else in order to meet the need we have. Israel had substituted Egypt, false gods, and false confidence for God Almighty. The fact of the matter is we all have needs and we cannot provide for any of them. We are tempted to meet our needs in our own way, or in the strength of someone else, to the exclusion of God's help.
Have you ever been thirsty? I mean really thirsty? When you are, you have three options. First, you can ignore the need and go thirsty-you will die from lack of water. Second, you can exert effort without any benefit-picture a marathon runner who needs water opening a can of soda (effort without benefit). Or third, you can go to the source for water. Only water can meet your need when you are thirsty. All other substitutes only go so far.

I have traveled some backroads in Arizona close to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Down one road is an old ranger station that I enjoy exploring occasionally. Once I discovered a cistern out back which was designed to collect rainwater from the roof. When I lifted the lid on the cistern, there was water in there alright-it had probably been in there for years, evidenced by the dead rats floating on the top! Was I thrilled with this "find"? No-that water will not help anybody. What a lousy substitute for fresh, clear water that refreshes your thirst!

God is the "fountain of living waters." He is the only Source that will quench your thirst. The illustration of cisterns in Jeremiah 2 pictures the choice we have this morning. When one goes without water, he has a choice: he can ignore the need, exert effort without any benefit, or he can go to the Spring of living water. God's power has not diminished over time-He is just as able to quench your thirst as He was for Moses and the children of Israel.

God created us, our need for physical water, and our need for Him. To whom will you look today? The "fountain of living waters" is completely sufficient and able to meet your every need.