The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. (Psalms 19:7-10)
Jeremiah 18:5-6 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?" says the LORD. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!
Jeremiah received this message from God only because he was in a spiritual place in his life. What if Jeremiah had not been listening? Surely he would have missed the important lessons of Potter's house. What if you or I are not listening for the word of God? The Word of God is sure and will give us hope that God is present and working to shape our lives.
No mar in the clay (sin in our lives) is too much for the Potter to deal with. He is able to remove any impurity and reshape and fashion us into something useful. Listen to the Potter's words, "...can I not do with you...so you are in My hands". He says, "I am able and willing and able to restore you to your purpose!"
With the Potter's sure word, you can bring your hurts, failures, and sin to Him to receive forgiveness and feel once again His hands upon you to lovingly mold and make you after His will. There is promise, potential, and possibility in every life. To spend my life arguing with God concerning the circumstances and not working to being conformable is nonsensical.
There are many types of clay from many different places and each has uniqueness. In other words, it does make a difference where, to who and when you were born. But that does not automatically dictate what we will be. Birth finds every man with a plasticity which allows for his development as God leads. Life will either harden the clay or soften it. Keeping our lives moldable is our goal.
Among men born at the same time and under the same circumstances we find some marred and some mastered. Judas and Peter followed the same Lord at the same time and under the same circumstances; but their ends were far different. Peter ended up preaching at Pentecost. Judas ended up buried in the Potter's field with the discards of life.
The marring of a man is not to be blamed on the Potter. There is nothing wrong with the Potter or the wheel. The marring is the direct result of the resistance of the clay to the potter and the wheel (his tool). Some try to blame the Potter for failure. (Adam began this.) Some blame the wheel of life. But the one who says such only confesses their own rebellion against the hand of God. The greatest determinate of what the Potter can do is the quality of the clay. Our own rebellion and self-centered lives are our problem.
So, what is our responsibility to the Potter? Is it to try to mold ourselves into our desire or remain sensitive to His touch to conform us to the image of His Son? The lesson of the Potter’s House is clear...
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!
Scripture to Claim:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
