For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, And hewn themselves cisterns-broken cisterns that can hold no water. (Jeremiah 2:13)

Jeremiah provides an inconceivable picture of Judah. Why would anyone in their right mind leave a fountain of living water and turn to a broken cistern? This was the two-sided sin of Israel. She had forsaken God and turned to idols.

There is always the temptation of following one's own way.   Being free and independent is the Devil’s lie!  Man wants to be free from restraints! This is the allurement of Idolatry, of all sin, of broken cisterns!

Ultimately the way of godlessness leads to misery. (Romans 1:26, 27) Not only does man's way reap eternal consequences, but it does not profit him now.  When one turns from God, he removes himself from the only source of true refreshment for the soul, and the only possibility of an abundant life.
 
Jehovah is the fountain of living waters. He is the eternally existing one, limitless in power, and limitless in possibilities. He is the giver and sustainer of physical and spiritual life. He is the only source of satisfying nourishment for the soul.

Israel’s devotion to idols was not just a momentary act when they made the golden calf after they left Egypt.  These constant temptations finally lead to an obscene religion.  It is easy for us to fall into the same trap. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. (1 John 5:21)

Men labor to find their own way and provide their own security. It is sad that they do no better than broken cisterns. Meanwhile, they neglect the living waters of the promises of God.

By George Slover
 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.  (Psalms 139:23-24)

Psalm 139 is one of my favorites.  This is a passage worth committing to memory, a reminder of God’s constant presence.  A young lady once requested this passage to be read at her wedding.  How appropriate!  Surely God was the most important guest of the day!

The Psalm is easily divided into four sections.  The first section (vs.1-6) tells of the impossibility of concealing anything from God.  The second section (vs.7-12) declares the impossibility of escaping from God’s presence.  Section three (vs.13-18) speaks of God’s great power.  In section four (vs. 19-24) the psalmist enters into supplication to God.  It is on the last two verses I wish to focus.  Here the psalmist enters into reflective self-examination.  Consider below three important lessons.

First, the poet implies his imperfect knowledge of is own character.  Sin creates darkness and deception.  “Who can understand his errors?” (Psalm 19:12)   We are easily subject to a sense of self-importance.  It is easy for us to excuse ourselves or to lessen the guilt of sins to which we are inclined.  Thus, there is wisdom in asking the Searcher of our hearts to try us and cleanse us.

Second, the psalmist plainly states he is willing to know the worst about himself.  Men are generally afraid to be placed under such scrutiny.  If we go to the doctor want to know everything even the worst, but not so with the soul.  The true spirit is a willingness to be tried.  Only when God reveals our true character can we make the needed changes.

The third lesson is the assurance that God is able to lead him in the right way.  “Lead me in the way everlasting”.  “Show me the good way, the way of the righteous, the path that leads to light”.  Only God, through his word, can show us where we are and set us on the right path.
 
By George Slover

Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD. For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, And shall not see when good comes, But shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, In a salt land which is not inhabited. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:5-8)

Here the prophet provides a vivid contrast between two types of character.  The picture is two different plants.  One is a dwarfed shrub.  The other is a full and fruitful tree.

The scrubby plant represents those who trust in man.  It is foolish when a man tries to take the place of God: when one’s highest confidence is in human power rather than Divine power.  Here one’s heart is turned toward worldly influences rather than Divine ones for a moral compass.  This one has departed from Jehovah.

When one walks away from God it is like a shrub in a briny wasteland.  Its lack of nourishment is manifested by its stunted growth and fruitlessness.  Such is the curse of one who rejects the will of God.

The lush tree represents those who trust in Jehovah.  This tree exudes the beauty of moral dignity.  It is strong enough to withstand the heat of life’s challenges.  This tree is a producer.  It bears the fruit which is God’s ultimate aim.

The foundation of this tree is based on its wholehearted trust in God.  Its roots are well watered by the word of God.  Its hope of the future confidently lies in the hands of Jehovah.

We have a decision to make.  We can choose to be planted by the river of God.  We do not have to be the desert shrub.  And when our days are over our fruit-bearing life will yield forever in the paradise of God.

By George Slover

 

"Then He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:59-60)

The advertising slogan of a well known insurance company is:  “Life comes at you fast”.  Indeed it does.  It always amazes me at how quickly the week closes only to start another.  The months and years pass by so fast.  Our lives are so full of activities- school functions, ball games, vacations, and civic duties.  It is hard to find time for God.

God must be first in our thoughts.  Connecting with God is a prerequisite to a successful walk with him.  Do you engage in daily Bible reading, meditation, and prayer?  (Psalm 1;1,2)  Is a daily devotional at the top of your list?  Do you give time to spiritual thoughts only when it does not crowd other things out, or is the rule of God the passion of your life?

God must be first in your decisions.  Life is full of decisions such as what kind of career will I pursue, where will I live?  Band, athletics, speech, drama, and homework all compete for the time of our children.  All of these are important to the development of the child, but none of them as significant as learning that God must come first.  When I choose a place to live which is more important – living in a popular neighborhood or living closer to my spiritual family?  I’ve seen so many disciples choose the neighborhood over the spiritual family and before long God is forgotten.  

God’s family must be the first of your associates.  God chose the local church as the organization through which to accomplish his collective work.  He knew that his people would need spiritual oversight, accountability, and encouragement.  A truth-loving, service-oriented church is vital to our spiritual growth.  Our society is full of parachurch organizations that compete with the local church.  These organizations include so-called “spiritually minded” folks that subscribe to the “salvation by faith only” doctrine and other denominational doctrines.  It concerns me when brethren make stronger connections to these organizations than they do with God’s people.  

God’s image must be reflected in our character.  Every day we live and breathe and work with worldly people.  The selfish attitudes and value system of the ungodly are imposed upon us.  God saved us from sin to serve, not to be served. (Mt. 20:28)  We are to be noted for kindness and gentleness, but if God is not first, it is easy to imitate the rudeness and crudeness of the world.

Life does indeed come at us fast and before we know it – life will be over.  God has a life policy that ensures much better promises than anything the world offers.  For that reason, it is absolutely essential for us to make time for God.

By George Slover 

"Yet the children of your people say, 'The way of the Lord is not fair.' But it is their way which is not fair! (Ezekiel 33:17)

The very justice of God is of tremendous importance.  Abraham acknowledged this when interceding with God on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah.  (Genesis 18:25)  A righteous man’s security depends on the truth that God is always equitable and fair.

However, through the ages man has been prone to question God’s justice.  In the days of Ezekiel, Israel questioned the way God had treated her as a nation.  (Ezekiel 18:1-32)  The prophet taught them this important lesson:  “God does not deal with us according to the conduct of our fathers, nor according to our past, but according to who we are right now”!

There are times when we are tempted to question God’s justice.  The world abounds in inequities.  Good people suffer.  Wicked people prosper.  This causes us to be hasty in our judgment of God.  Our limited knowledge of all the ways of God may hinder us from recognizing the benefits he is bringing to us.  

In addition, we are slow to acknowledge God’s power to change lives.  We quickly label an individual according to past conduct.  Acceptance and pardon is difficult.  It is a challenge to believe God and his word can profoundly alter a life.

It is also common to call God unjust when we suffer for our own foolishness.  God’s message to Israel:  “Consider your ways!”  (Ezekiel 18:32)  It would be better to spend our time in self-examination rather than blaming God!

It is comforting to know that God is just.  It is very consoling to know he is merciful.  It is only a living faith and perfect submission that God accepts.

By George Slover