Don't Forsake The Fountain Of Life For A Muddy Puddle

Two weeks ago we had a sermon fromm Jeremiah 18 about the Potters house.

I want to follow on from there with the next part of the passage.

We read that God is the potter and that He has the authority to do whatsoever he wishes with his creation. If he is unhappy with what is forming then he will make it into something else.

We know that he is making something good in our lives and will continue to do so until we go to glory.

Listen to the words of Jeremiah as he continues his discourse.

Jer 18:7-10 "The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, "if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. "And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, "if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.

We can see this in the story of Jonah – God intended to punish a nation for its wickedness but gave them an opportunity through His prophet Jonah to turn from their ways. They did so and God relented.

Word against Israel

Jer 18:11 ¶ "Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good."'" 12 And they said, "That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart."13 Therefore thus says the LORD: "Ask now among the Gentiles, Who has heard such things? The virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing. 14 Will a man leave the snow water of Lebanon, Which comes from the rock of the field? Will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters? 15 "Because My people have forgotten Me, They have burned incense to worthless idols. And they have caused themselves to stumble in their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in pathways and not on a highway, 16 To make their land desolate and a perpetual hissing; Everyone who passes by it will be astonished And shake his head. 17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back and not the face In the day of their calamity."

Israel had walked away from God – time and time again we see the people of Israel turn their backs on God and adopt idols and statues as their focus of worship. Baal and Asherah were the main idols to which they turned. Why would you replace the truth for a lie? Why would anybody walk away from what is alive to what is a piece of wood or metal? I guess we all have stories of people who once walked with God and then for some reason or another decided to turn aside and do their own thing. To walk according to their own plans. You may have noticed that it was more of a process than an off the cuff decision.

If we are not careful we can easily replace being a disciple to being spoon fed. From being dependant on God to being dependant on somebody else. If we work it out ourselves then it sticks a lot better than if we hear it from somebody else. Somebody else’s testimony should encourage us to go out and get our own. If God can do it for you then He can do it for me.

Our priority must always be – God first.

When I study I ask God for understanding and read a little from people much more intelligent than I will ever be.

When I go through a difficult situation – Go to God first then people.

When I am hurt - God first because He is my healer.

When I am lonely - God first because he is my constant companion closer than a brother.

When I need strength and acknowledge that I am weak then He promises to make His strength perfect in my weakness.

When I need a fresh infilling of His power then I know that He is the source of all spiritual power and He will fill me again.

Which leads me to the verse I want to concentrate on a little this morning

Jer 18:14 Will a man leave the snow water of Lebanon, Which comes from the rock of the field? Will the cold flowing waters be forsaken for strange waters?