The Potter’s Hand
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: “Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.” So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. (Jeremiah 18: 1-4)
The assignment seemed simple enough – Go for a walk and visit the potter’s house. The message was given to a faithful follower of the Lord’s - so sensing the leading of the Spirit, he decided to take the street home which led past the all craftsmen’s shops. After arriving at the shop of the potter he peered into the window and then entered into the door. The first thing he noticed was the blast of heat that hit him as he walked through the door. It came from the large kiln attached to the outer brick wall on the right-hand side of the shop. The pungent smell of hot baking clay permeated the entire building. On the opposite side there were a couple of workers carefully preparing clay objects on dusty grey shelves. These items had apparently come out of the oven recently after being cooled. They handled them with great care not wanting to damage any of them. Near the front of the shop were display shelves filled with assorted pottery wares that were for sale. Vases - both large and small, water jars, various bowls & oil burning lamps were the most prominent items. Many of the objects were unpainted and common, intended for ordinary everyday use around the home. Some had special glazing and were designed more for ornamentation than practical daily use. A couple of women were looking over the selection contemplating which vessels would best suit their application.
His attention however was quickly drawn to an old man sitting at the potter’s wheel. Skillfully he was spinning clay, methodically moving the foot pedals, and forming a piece of pottery with his experienced hands. It was easy to see he was no beginner. With years of experience behind him, using very simple tools he added unique lines and ridges and indentations. It was almost mesmerizing to watch him. As he moved his hands up and down the clay it flared out. He skillfully rolled the top over making a lip around the outer edge of his creation. The potter paused for a moment and looked over his creation. His facial expression changed to one of dissatisfaction. There was something about this piece that didn’t measure up to his expectations. Then he did something the visitor didn’t expect. The potter took the clay from the wheel and smashed it back down into a lump of clay. He then dipped his hand into a bucket of water sitting beside him and started the rhythmic peddling once again. Applying a new coat of moisture, he started the process of reshaping the clay all over again. Singing a familiar melody softly to himself as he worked, the clay once again began to assume its new shape as the master craftsman molded it into his intended design.
As Jeremiah stepped out of the potter’s shop and began to make his way home he walked through several neighborhoods. The sights reminded him how far his nation had drifted from the Lord. There were numerous sights that reminded him of his nation’s moral decay. Many people had no regard at all for God’s Word. As a result poverty, immorality, and violence were rampant. The nation was in an economic tailspin because God had removed his hand of blessing from them. Israel was turning her back on the Lord who had created her - and yet there was hope. It was as if God Himself spoke to Jeremiah, “Look at the clay in the hand of the potter – so are you in my Hand, O house of Israel!” (Jer. 18:6) Jeremiah heard and understood; no matter how far they had drifted away - the Master Potter could form and reform it into His intended design.
The lesson God gave to Jeremiah applies directly to each of our lives. God wants to shape each one of us according to his design. The potter’s wheel is an apt metaphor for God’s work in our lives because we are in a literal sense, pottery – we’ve been formed from clay. God physically shaped Adam from the clay of the earth and breathed into him the breath of life. Paul says in 2 Tim 2:21 God wants to form us into “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."
God’s hands are still shaping you into the person he desires you to be. He holds your life in His hands. He skillfully knows how to apply pressure, when to relax His grip, how to squeeze and nudge. Occasionally the shape he intends to bring about requires a deeper score in a certain area of your life, which seems painful at the time. But he has a plan – he is making you into a vessel fit for His use. Our God is a Master Craftsman – He won’t settle for second-rate work. We tend to want to ignore the flaws in our life. But the potter knows if the flaw remains it will only weaken the vessel. He carefully inspects each vessel to make sure that every potentially fatal flaw is removed. His desire is that we are shaped and sculpted into the image of Christ. So the potter permits difficulties and trails to come our way, knowing that sometimes it is only then that we will abandon stubborn human pride and allow ourselves to be shaped by His hands. The potter will not give up on you becoming the vessel he intends you to be. If our plans and dreams conflict with his intended design it might require a complete reshaping of our life. But notice our Master Craftsman doesn’t give up on any lump of clay. When a marred vessel requires it – he simply squeezes the clay a little and starts to reform it all over again. Even more - sooner or later he places each of his vessels into the fire of the kiln. But the fire is necessary as he turns us into stronger vessels for His use.
Whatever you are experiencing today, know this: The Master’s hand is at work in your life. Whatever you are experiencing, he has a purpose in mind. He knows exactly how to sculpt you into Christ’s image. You might be going through a reshaping process or the fire of His kiln – but he will not abandon you. You are and always will be a treasured vessel in His eyes. Every movement of His expert hand in your life is to bring about his purpose for you. Relax your grip and permit Him to shape you according to His desire.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
The assignment seemed simple enough – Go for a walk and visit the potter’s house. The message was given to a faithful follower of the Lord’s - so sensing the leading of the Spirit, he decided to take the street home which led past the all craftsmen’s shops. After arriving at the shop of the potter he peered into the window and then entered into the door. The first thing he noticed was the blast of heat that hit him as he walked through the door. It came from the large kiln attached to the outer brick wall on the right-hand side of the shop. The pungent smell of hot baking clay permeated the entire building. On the opposite side there were a couple of workers carefully preparing clay objects on dusty grey shelves. These items had apparently come out of the oven recently after being cooled. They handled them with great care not wanting to damage any of them. Near the front of the shop were display shelves filled with assorted pottery wares that were for sale. Vases - both large and small, water jars, various bowls & oil burning lamps were the most prominent items. Many of the objects were unpainted and common, intended for ordinary everyday use around the home. Some had special glazing and were designed more for ornamentation than practical daily use. A couple of women were looking over the selection contemplating which vessels would best suit their application.
His attention however was quickly drawn to an old man sitting at the potter’s wheel. Skillfully he was spinning clay, methodically moving the foot pedals, and forming a piece of pottery with his experienced hands. It was easy to see he was no beginner. With years of experience behind him, using very simple tools he added unique lines and ridges and indentations. It was almost mesmerizing to watch him. As he moved his hands up and down the clay it flared out. He skillfully rolled the top over making a lip around the outer edge of his creation. The potter paused for a moment and looked over his creation. His facial expression changed to one of dissatisfaction. There was something about this piece that didn’t measure up to his expectations. Then he did something the visitor didn’t expect. The potter took the clay from the wheel and smashed it back down into a lump of clay. He then dipped his hand into a bucket of water sitting beside him and started the rhythmic peddling once again. Applying a new coat of moisture, he started the process of reshaping the clay all over again. Singing a familiar melody softly to himself as he worked, the clay once again began to assume its new shape as the master craftsman molded it into his intended design.
As Jeremiah stepped out of the potter’s shop and began to make his way home he walked through several neighborhoods. The sights reminded him how far his nation had drifted from the Lord. There were numerous sights that reminded him of his nation’s moral decay. Many people had no regard at all for God’s Word. As a result poverty, immorality, and violence were rampant. The nation was in an economic tailspin because God had removed his hand of blessing from them. Israel was turning her back on the Lord who had created her - and yet there was hope. It was as if God Himself spoke to Jeremiah, “Look at the clay in the hand of the potter – so are you in my Hand, O house of Israel!” (Jer. 18:6) Jeremiah heard and understood; no matter how far they had drifted away - the Master Potter could form and reform it into His intended design.
The lesson God gave to Jeremiah applies directly to each of our lives. God wants to shape each one of us according to his design. The potter’s wheel is an apt metaphor for God’s work in our lives because we are in a literal sense, pottery – we’ve been formed from clay. God physically shaped Adam from the clay of the earth and breathed into him the breath of life. Paul says in 2 Tim 2:21 God wants to form us into “a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work."
God’s hands are still shaping you into the person he desires you to be. He holds your life in His hands. He skillfully knows how to apply pressure, when to relax His grip, how to squeeze and nudge. Occasionally the shape he intends to bring about requires a deeper score in a certain area of your life, which seems painful at the time. But he has a plan – he is making you into a vessel fit for His use. Our God is a Master Craftsman – He won’t settle for second-rate work. We tend to want to ignore the flaws in our life. But the potter knows if the flaw remains it will only weaken the vessel. He carefully inspects each vessel to make sure that every potentially fatal flaw is removed. His desire is that we are shaped and sculpted into the image of Christ. So the potter permits difficulties and trails to come our way, knowing that sometimes it is only then that we will abandon stubborn human pride and allow ourselves to be shaped by His hands. The potter will not give up on you becoming the vessel he intends you to be. If our plans and dreams conflict with his intended design it might require a complete reshaping of our life. But notice our Master Craftsman doesn’t give up on any lump of clay. When a marred vessel requires it – he simply squeezes the clay a little and starts to reform it all over again. Even more - sooner or later he places each of his vessels into the fire of the kiln. But the fire is necessary as he turns us into stronger vessels for His use.
Whatever you are experiencing today, know this: The Master’s hand is at work in your life. Whatever you are experiencing, he has a purpose in mind. He knows exactly how to sculpt you into Christ’s image. You might be going through a reshaping process or the fire of His kiln – but he will not abandon you. You are and always will be a treasured vessel in His eyes. Every movement of His expert hand in your life is to bring about his purpose for you. Relax your grip and permit Him to shape you according to His desire.
Live the Victorious Life,
PT
posted by Larry | 1:35 PM
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