“My people have done two evils: They have turned away from me, the spring of living water. And they have dug their own wells, which are broken wells that cannot hold water. Jeremiah 2:13 (NCV)
Have you ever dug a well? I have not, but I can imagine that it is back-breaking, hard, hard work. I’ve dug a hole for a plant, but a well that goes deep into the ground? Uhh, no. I’m exhausted even thinking about it.
In today’s Heart Notes verse, we find God admonishing the Israelites (and by extrapolation, you and me) for turning away from Him and turning to other gods. He calls this evil.
In my 20s, I did this. I gave my heart to Jesus at 15 years of age. I loved Him with all my heart. Then, in my 20s, I turned away from Him, and ran after the pleasures of this world. I forsook the One who died to give me peace and joy in this life, and heaven in the next one. I tried to find joy in people and things that can never bring joy. I dug my own well, but it was broken and would not hold life-giving water. Joy could not be found. Neither could peace. I had done evil.
Then, in my 30s I came running back to Jesus. I was so thirsty for His living water, for peace and joy. He forgave me of my evil, and loved me completely. He offered me an unending supply of that life-giving, thirst-quenching living water. I never want to turn away from Him again.
Have you ever tried to dig your own spiritual well? How did that work out for you?
