Clinging to the Cistern--Not the Fountain

Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. Jeremiah 17:5-6

It is excellent doctrine that is preached in these verses, and of general concern and use to us all, and it does not appear to have any particular reference to the present state of Judah and Jerusalem. The prophet's sermons were not all prophetical, but some of them practical; yet this discourse would be of singular use to them by way of caution not to misplace their confidence in the day of distress. Le us all learn what we are taught here.

Concerning the disappointment and vexation those will certainly meet with who depend upon creatures for success and relief when they are in trouble. The sin here condemned; it is trusting in man, putting that confidence in the wisdom and power, the kindness and faithfulness of men, which should be placed in those attributes of God only, making our applications to men and raising our expectations from them as principal agents, whereas they are but instruments in the hand of Providence.

Those that trust in man perhaps draw nigh to God with their mouth and honour Him with their lips, they call Him their hope and say that they trust in Him; but really their heart departs from Him; they distrust Him, despise Him, and decline a correspondence with Him. Cleaving to the cistern is leaving the fountain, and is resented accordingly.

Those that trust to their own righteousness and strength, and think they can do well enough without the merit and grace of Christ, thus make flesh their arm (what we stay upon, work with, shelter ourselves and on which we depend for protection) and their souls cannot prosper in graces or comforts, they can neither produce the fruits of acceptable services to God nor reap the fruits of saving blessings from Him; they dwell in a dry land. (Matthew Henry)

The fountain is Christ and the analogy is one who leaves the true source and clings to those things that are perishable. At times I expect so much from those around me; to meet my needs and fulfill me as a person. Our trust should be in Christ alone--no one else--all flesh is expendable.

Looking Glass: My son graduates tonight from college and he is our last one to do so! My daughter was married last June and graduated in December--so this feels nice. I cannot believe how fast time goes; I blinked my eyes and suddenly they are grown. My prayer for them (son-in-law included)is they have a Spirit-filled life and never lose sight of our purpose here on earth.