Fast Day 14: Springs of Water

Jeremiah is called the weeping prophet (Jeremiah 13:17). He wept often because Judah had abandoned the Lord. God called him to preach the truth to those who were left after Babylon invaded, but they never listened. During biblical times, cisterns were artificial reservoirs that were either dug out of the earth or dug into rock. They were meant to catch rainwater. But God’s true spiritual reservoir was to be the source of their character, a constant spring available to them, and the way they could reflect God in the world.

Jeremiah preached, “Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: For my people have committed evil. They have abandoned Me, the spring of living water. They have carved out for themselves broken cisterns that do not hold water.” Jeremiah 2: 13

God used the cisterns to illustrate the false spiritual reservoir His people desired, abandoning Him:

My people abandoned Me and offered sacrifices to other gods, and worshiped idols that they made with their own hands (Jer 1:16).

They went far from Me, walked after emptiness and became empty (Jer 2:5).

They abandoned Me, the spring of living water and carved out for themselves broken cisterns that do not hold water (Jer 2:13).

They abandoned Me, the LORD their God, when I led them in the way (Jer 2:17).

They abandoned Me, the LORD their God, and they have no fear of Me (Jer 2:19).

They have loved strangers and walked after them (Jer 2:25).

They have come to the cisterns and found no water. They have returned with their containers empty because the cisterns are all cracked (Jer 14:3).

They let Jeremiah down into the cistern with no water, only mud (Jer 38:6).

God’s people abandoned Him for idols, emptiness, brokenness, strangers and mud!

God promises to be the water we need. He will fill our cisterns. We will become like a spring of water ourselves. When filled with the Spirit, our cisterns will overflow like rivers of living water to others (John 7:37-39).

When you have felt empty and broken, what habits have you pursued trying to fill your cistern?

How has your time of fasting and prayer opened up your cistern to be filled by God?

How could accessing His spring as your only source of filling your cistern during your fast make a difference?

What new habits are starting to form in your spiritual life?

Dearest Lord, keep me from empty and broken pursuits. Fill me with the life-giving water of Your Spirit and Your love. I will not abandon You. Amen.