PM Edition for July 20

The devotional today recounts how Israel, despite witnessing numerous miracles and receiving God's varied mercies, foolishly abandoned their true and living God to chase after false idols. God, through the prophet Jeremiah, pleads with His people, questioning their decision to leave the pure and refreshing streams of His provision for the muddy and deceitful waters of Egypt. This poignant imagery serves as a warning to us, urging us to reflect on our own spiritual journey.

Key Points:

1. God's Proven Worthiness: By numerous miracles, varied mercies, and remarkable deliverances, Jehovah had proven Himself worthy of Israel's trust. Yet, they forsook their true and living God to follow false idols.

2. God's Plea: The Lord constantly rebuked Israel for their foolishness, pleading with them, "Why do you wander so far and leave your own cool stream from Lebanon? Why abandon Jerusalem to turn aside to Noph and Tahapanes?"

3. A Message for Believers: As believers who have tasted the goodness of Christ, we are called to remember the richness of our fellowship with Him and the joy of His presence. The fleeting pleasures of this world cannot compare to the deep satisfaction found in Christ.

4. Return to the Living Fountain: If we find ourselves drifting towards the empty promises of worldly pleasures, let us quickly return to the living fountain, Jesus Christ. Just as Rutherford noted, having tasted the manna from heaven, our appetite should no longer crave the husks of this world.