The Potter and the Clay

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying: 2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.” 3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: 6 “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! 7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it, 8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it. 9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it, 10 if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.

11 “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’”

12 And they said, “That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will every one obey the dictates of his evil heart.” (Jeremiah 18:1-12, emphasis added)

That is hopeless! Ridiculous! I can’t do it? Why bother! God, you want me to do what!?! No, it can’t happen!

Have those thoughts ever ran through you head? They have mine and as I read quietly through the Bible this week, I realized that my doubts are just as sinful as Israel’s rejection of the Lord’s plea for their return to Him.

When we out-right reject God’s beckon or doubt His ability to lead us through obedience, we are like stiff, stubborn clay that will not yield to the potter’s hands. Clay that resists and must be painfully worked and worked and worked until to has no choice but to give into the steady, relentless pressure of the Potter’s hands.

I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be soft, willing clay that submits and learns to enjoy the shaping and molding process that the Potter puts me through.

I want to be soft, willing clay that submits and learns to enjoy the shaping and molding process that the Potter puts me through. Click To Tweet

Oh, Lord, remove my hard heart and replace it with a soft one — one that willing bends to your will. Give me a heart that will follow where you lead. Forgive me for my stubbornness, for my stiff neck, for my out-right rejection of you, and my doubt. Here I am Lord. I am marred, but you can make me into another vessel — one that seems good to you. In the name of your Son I pray. Amen.

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This post was written while reading quietly through God’s word. If you are interested in a simple reading plan, check out this download and consider joining our small Facebook group.

Only by grace,

Kelli

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You may enjoy these link ups as well: Chasing Community, Fresh Market Friday, Heart Encouragement, Monday @ Soul Survival, RaRaLinkUp, #Tea&Word, Warriors in the Word

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