How can we avoid provoking God as described in Jeremiah 2:12? Verse at a Glance “Be amazed, O heavens, at this; be shocked and utterly appalled,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 2:12) What Provokes God? The next verse explains the outrage: • “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13) God is angered when His people 1. Abandon Him, the only true source of life. 2. Replace Him with worthless substitutes. Foundational Steps to Avoid Provoking Him • Stay at the fountain. – “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.” (Psalm 36:9) – “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.” (John 4:14) • Reject every “broken cistern.” – Idols of pleasure, power, money, or self-reliance (1 John 5:21). • Trust God, not yourself. – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) Daily Habits that Keep the Heart Tender • Word saturation—read, meditate, and obey (James 1:22-25). • Prayerful dependence—talk to the Lord continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). • Corporate worship—stay among believers who stir up love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Regular remembrance—rehearse His past faithfulness (Deuteronomy 4:9). • Quick repentance—confess sin immediately (1 John 1:9). Warning Signs to Address Early • Dullness to Scripture—reading becomes mechanical. • Prayerlessness—days pass with little communion. • Compromise—tolerated sin no longer troubles the conscience. • Self-confidence—success credited to self rather than God. “Take heed, lest you fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12) Encouraging Promises for Those Who Stay Close • “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) • “He who comes to Me will never hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35) • “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) By clinging to the fountain of living water and refusing every broken cistern, we keep from provoking the Holy One and instead bring Him delight. |
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