Today is the 19th day of Lent.
 
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.   

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”  
 
Today’s reading is from the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 2.  
 

“Go west and look in the land of Cyprus;
    go east and search through the land of Kedar.
Has anyone ever heard of anything
    as strange as this?
Has any nation ever traded its gods for new ones,
    even though they are not gods at all?
Yet my people have exchanged their glorious God
    for worthless idols!
 The heavens are shocked at such a thing
    and shrink back in horror and dismay,”
    says the Lord.
“For my people have done two evil things:
They have abandoned me—
    the fountain of living water.
And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns
    that can hold no water at all! 


God regularly speaks to his people about “living water”. It’s an interesting expression. But think about how important water would have been in that environment for survival. Much of the Holy Land was desert. The closest body of water to Jerusalem was so full of salt that they called it the Dead Sea; no plants or living creatures could survive in it. And God speaks to his people again and again and, in place of dead water or having a lack of water, he offers them abundant, living water. The scriptures speak of this living water flowing from God’s throne in heaven. How do you think people would have felt when they heard this offer of living water?

At the same time, the scriptures speak of people turning away from this living water. Digging their own wells. Storing water in cracked containers. Becoming sick on the water they drink. That’s a powerful image. As you hear the passage again, think about the wells you have dug to find life rather than drink from God.
 
As you continue through your day today, try and hold a simple phrase in your mind—“I’ll drink from you, Lord.” And throughout the day today, repeat it quietly to the Lord. “I’ll drink from you, Lord.”
 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Music: Mighty River - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)