Thought For Today: “Developing God Substitutes”

I have been warned about the risks of switching from sugar to substitutes, or from the white bags to the blue or yellow bags on the restaurant table.

But there is a far more deadly drift happening beyond the food substitutes, and that is what we are starting to replace the Lord God’s presence, grace, and power with, as we gradually drift away and follow God from a distance.

To the children of Israel, the Lord said, “What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.” (Jeremiah 2:5)

And then He said, “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

There is an emptiness within us that only God can fill. He is the living water, a well of water springing up, providing not just life but new life. Only He can fill what we long for.

Unfortunately, we neglect Him—the true living waters—for cheap substitutes, like broken cisterns that don’t hold water. We replace Him with work, religious activities, sexual immorality, addictions, and relationships. Instead of turning to God, we rely on the ways and methods of this world.

But Jesus is on our side, and He is praying for us. So, by faith, let’s follow God’s word and way, always trusting in the faithfulness of Jesus, who is faithful.