What steps can we take to return to the "spring of living water"? Setting the Scene: God, the Spring of Living Water “ ‘For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water.’ ” (Jeremiah 2:13) Why We Need to Return • God alone satisfies; anything we substitute will leak away. • Broken cisterns symbolize self-made solutions—success, pleasure, religion without relationship—that cannot quench spiritual thirst. • Turning back means abandoning substitutes and coming directly to the Source. First Steps Back to the Spring • Acknowledge the leak. – Admit where you have looked for life apart from the Lord (Psalm 51:3-4). • Repent and turn. – “Return, faithless children… for I am your husband” (Jeremiah 3:14). – Repentance is not mere regret; it is a decisive pivot back to Him. • Believe that the Spring is still flowing. – God’s invitation remains open: “Let the one who is thirsty come” (Revelation 22:17). Drawing Near through His Word • Drink daily from Scripture: – “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). • Read expectantly, asking the Spirit to illuminate truth (John 16:13). • Memorize verses that spotlight God’s sufficiency (e.g., Psalm 63:1-5). Prayer: Opening the Tap • Honest confession keeps channels clear (1 John 1:9). • Praise fixes the heart on the Giver, not the gifts (Psalm 22:3). • Petition expresses dependence, refusing self-reliance (Philippians 4:6-7). Worship and Fellowship: Shared Streams • Corporate worship fans thirst for God (Psalm 42:4). • Accountability with mature believers redirects drift quickly (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Serving others becomes an overflow of the water received (John 7:38). Obedience: Staying within the Flow • “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). • Each act of obedience deepens the channel through which living water runs. • Delayed obedience re-opens cracks in the cistern. Guarding against New Cisterns • Discern cultural messages promising fulfillment apart from Christ (1 John 2:15-17). • Regular self-examination by the Word spots leaks early (Psalm 139:23-24). • Fast periodically from good things that risk becoming ultimate things (1 Corinthians 6:12). Encouragement from Jesus’ Promise “ ‘Whoever drinks the water I will give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life.’ ” (John 4:14) Living Hydrated: A Daily Rhythm Morning: Begin with Scripture and surrender. Midday: Whisper prayers, recalling memorized verses. Evening: Review the day, confess leaks, thank Him for replenishment. Conclusion: Life by the Spring Returning is not a one-time visit but a continual residence at the Source. Forsake the broken cisterns, draw near through Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, and obedience, and experience the unending refreshment of God, the spring of living water. |
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