broken cisterns – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

Listen to what I’m telling you: Open your eyes and look at the fields, because they are ready for harvest. (John 4:35)

Those words really resonated with me this morning. And I really felt God speaking them to my heart today.

There are so many people like the woman in today’s story. Who are drinking from broken cisterns (Jeremiah 2:13).

Who are always trying to fill their deepest needs, perhaps being satisfied for a while, but soon finding themselves empty again.

For years, this woman sought to fill her needs through men. Yet five men proved to be broken cisterns. And the sixth wasn’t looking that promising either, living with her, but not being willing to marry her.

I’m thinking of two people right now who are struggling with problems and need Jesus. And I’m praying for opportunities to reach them. But I need to open my eyes to those opportunities.

At the same time, I’m wondering who are the other people around me who are drinking from broken cisterns that I am not seeing right now.

Who are the people who have broken cisterns in your life? Can you see them? Do you recognize them?

The water we’re drinking

Jesus’ words to the Samaritan woman strike me here.

If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. (John 4:10)

And again,

Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst.

Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life. (13-14)

What are we “drinking” every day? When we’re tired or discouraged, and need to be refreshed, what do we turn to?

Do we turn to the internet? Porn? TV? Music? Games? Books? Entertainment? Alcohol?

Do we forsake the spring of living water for broken cisterns that cannot hold water? (Jeremiah 2:13)

How often are we like the Samaritans who cry out to Jesus, “Stay with us”?

(That word “stay” is the same word Jesus uses when he tells us to “remain” in him in John 15:4-11.)

How often do we drink in his Word, and take time to listen to his voice?

I admit, it is easy for me to turn to other things too. Oh, I’ll spend my time with God in the morning, but it’s easy to turn to other things at the end of the day.

Lord Jesus, stay with me. Let me abide in you and your love each day. Don’t let me turn to broken cisterns that cannot hold water. Instead, may my life be rooted in your love.

And each day, may those roots grow ever deeper, that I may know just how wide, long, high and deep is your love for me. In your name I pray, amen.