Scripture:
Jeremiah 18:1-4 ESV
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: [2] “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” [3] So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. [4] The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
Observation:
Jeremiah was a prophet of the LORD. So GOD spoke to him in a natural way. He would use illustrations to produce HIS point. I’m not trying to get more grafic than the bible, but at one point, GOD used a Lauren cloth that had been worn and hidden to speak to Jeremiah. At this point, however, the message the LORD had was not so harsh… but HE still had something to say to HIS chosen people, and HE was using Jeremiah to do so. HIS instructions for him were simple and easy to accomplish. “Arise and go to the potter’s house.” There is not much that can be explained there. GOD simply laid it on the heart of Jeremiah. Do go and observe what the potter was doing and let him know that HE would speak to him there. The point that needs to be seen is that Jeremiah did exactly what the LORD had told him to do, and GOD held up to HIS end of the deal. Jeremiah went, and GOD spoke. What Jeremiah saw was not difficult to understand. The potter was shaping a vessel on the potter’s wheel. After all, that’s what potters do, so this more than likely did not surprise Jeremiah. But when the LORD started to speak to him through the simple actions of the potter. I’m sure Jeremiah understood better why these simple actions had to be taken. The potter was not pleased with the shape that the vessel had taken. So because the clay was not finished and was still wet, the potter could start over. So, back into a lump of clay, it was made. The potter then started over and began to reshape the clay into a beautiful vessel. If we read on. In this chapter, we see what GOD was telling Jeremiah that HE could do the very same thing for Israel. HE could take them back to the lump of clay that HE started with and reshape them into a vessel that could be used.
Application:
GOD speaks through simple things. It honestly doesn’t take much. But if you are listening and aware of how GOD works, you can hear HIM explain HIMSELF just by observing what’s going on around us every day. In fact, the bible says that the world testifies to HIM. Being intine to the Holy Spirit is the key. So the last part was a free-bee. Now, let’s talk about how many times my heavenly father has taken me back to the drawing board. Have you ever been moving along in life and feel like your world just gets rocked by some major event? Maybe that’s the LORD’s way of shaping you into the vessel HE wants to use. Honestly, we are all just clay in HIS hands. Let’s look back at how Adam was made… the LORD GOD to some dust made formed him. I’m 50 years old now. I can’t tell you how many times I have started over. Honestly, I’m really kind of tired of it. This time, rather than trying to do things my way, I’m doing my best to allow GOD to shape me. Honestly, all I want is to be used by HIM, and it’s not the clay’s job to tell the potter how to shape it. I started this journey about 14 years ago, and it has not been an easy road, but I have learned a lot. I have been taken back to the potter’s wheel a few times, and in fact, I know that HE is still shaping me as we speak. I’m not sure HE will get done until Jesus comes back… I’m a lot of work…it’s a pretty big lump of clay HE is working with here. Oh, but when HE is done. Even though you might not see it now after the hot fire, it takes to make the clay keep its shape and the glaze that’s placed on it to make it appealing. This vessel will be used for the glory of GOD. So here is my suggestion. Allow GOD to shape you. Don’t fight it. Just be clay in HIS hands. If you get off track, go back to the wheel and be reshaped. Just run to the father with everything. That’s what HE wants… and HE will make you a vessel for honorable use.
Prayer:
Father, we know that the potter’s wheel is not always comfortable. But we also know that your plan for us is good. So we are asking that as you shape us, use plenty of water. So, the process is not a hard one. We want to be used by you as vessels to carry your word to the next generation or the next one you have called out by name. All of this is about you, your plan, your glory, your purpose. We are only a small part of what you are doing. Shape us in the manner that you will get the most glory. We want to be clay in your hands. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray, amen.