Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation. 

Today’s devotion was written by Jessica Gerth.

“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 NIV).

I almost didn’t go. This week had been exhausting, and rushing to feed the kids to get to church for the worship and prayer night sounded far from the peaceful evening I craved. 

Ever since I was a child, I’ve desired peace more than anything. Having family members who battled addictions, I watched them seek comfort from bottles of alcohol and pills, numbing themselves, if only for a few hours. Even at such a young age, I adopted their pain as if it were my own, and I longed to make things better. I’ve spent my life teetering between seeking solutions to my problems and running from them. 

Worship that night was powerful, and I could feel the Lord’s closeness. Several days later, reading this passage in Jeremiah, it became clear why I was never satisfied. My soul wanted peace more than anything, yet I couldn’t find rest, no matter how hard I tried. Instead of allowing Jesus to fill me, I’d been trying to force an empty well to provide my peace. 

In John chapter four, Jesus, tired from His journey, seeks rest at Jacob’s well. A Samaritan woman comes to draw water, but her encounter with Jesus leads to a deeper spiritual exchange in which He offers her “living water.” The only water that satisfies is the love, peace, and acceptance of God. Our own efforts don’t manifest these blessings. The fountain of living water, made possible through Jesus, still flows freely. 

My favorite part of the story is that Jesus was waiting for the Samaritan woman. How often do I rush to find peace from empty wells and broken cisterns, only to find my cup constantly empty? The living water Jesus offers isn’t something we have to work for. It’s a gift from God, and He is waiting for us to seek Him for refreshment. 

Take a moment today to reflect on how you seek peace. Are you keeping Jesus waiting?

Thank you for joining us today. If you would like to learn more about OHSOFREE Ministries, please visit us at www.ohsofreeministries.com.