Broken Cisterns

There is a difference between a cistern and a well. A cistern is a cave or hollow in the ground that is filled with water. A well has a natural supply of water and is refilled by itself. Not only is it more work to fill a cistern, it is also more susceptible to bacteria, infection and other contaminants. The water lies still, and there is no movement in it, except when water is taken out and refilled. The quality of these two water sources is therefore very different.

God’s people had committed two sins: abandoning Him, the spring of living water, and digging their own cisterns, cracked containers that couldn’t hold water. Instead of trusting God’s endless supply, they relied on their own efforts and ended up empty.

We do the same when we build our lives on fragile foundations: careers, relationships, image, control. These things aren’t bad in themselves, but when we look to them for fulfillment, they fail us. Like cracked cisterns, they leak.

God’s invitation is clear: stop digging. Come to the spring. His water is pure, abundant, and free. He doesn’t ask us to fix our leaks first, He calls us to trust Him to fill what’s empty.

Reflection Question:
Where might you be relying on your own “cisterns” instead of trusting God as your spring of living water?