Scripture:
Jeremiah 18:1-6 NKJV
[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!
Observation:
I love the way GOD uses Jeremiah, I think if we pay close attention to our lives HE will do the very same thing for us. As I was reading this book, what I noticed is how the LORD would take Jeremiah to a specific place and just have him observe what was going on, then he would begin to speak through what Jeremiah had seen, or he would give him specific instructions to follow, and then speak to him from the results of those instructions after being followed. The one thing I noticed from all of it though is that Jeremiah was in tune with GOD. He heard HIM when HE spoke, and did what he was told. I’m going to be honest, I have been thinking about this scripture for a while now. It’s something I have written about several times. I would love to say why, but I have to keep you waiting for the application process. As the LORD begins to give Jeremiah some instructions, what we see in verse 1 is that, “The word which came to Jeremiah, from the LORD,” gave him some very specific instructions. I can almost see him sitting with his back against a broom tree, with his legs crossed, looking up to the heavens, just communing with GOD, adoration, and wonder in his heart for the one who made every cloud that swept by, and the still small breeze that pushed it to its next destination. Then as he sat there a feeling came over him, something deep within his heart, saying get up… go to the POTTER’S house, I have something to show you. It’s something you won’t want to miss. As he quickly responds to the instructions given, I see him thinking about how GOD’S people have been heading in the wrong direction, “ I can’t fix it, I’m not even sure what to say, its like every time I open my mouth they get mad and push me even further to the outside of their lives, I have to find a way to tell them that HE is ultimately in control. Finally at the POTTER’S house, standing there seeing the potter creating a vessel, he watches quietly, not asking any questions. He observes all that happens. A little water here, a little pressure there, spinning the wheel faster and faster, and what was at one point a lump of clay begins to take shape. Standing taller, gaining curves, a little more water, and some more pressure, faster and faster with the wheel, as the vessel gets too thin in one area and begins to come apart. Sure there was some frustration on the POTTER’S face, but it wasn’t the end and HE knew it. It might have set HIM back a little, but HE was the creator of time and HE knows exactly what HE is doing. Taking what had been taking the shape of a beautiful vessel all the way back to a lump of clay. The POTTER began to shape it again. That’s when the picture came to him, he knew the reason the LORD told him to stand there and watch. It was about being recreated, made new, what had been made could not take the pressure that it would need to. It needed to be stronger in some areas than it was, but thanks to the LORD it had not been hardened by the fire yet. As the words to speak came to Jeremiah. I can see the light come to his eyes, “Yes LORD, I hear you, I see what you are telling me, I know what you want me to say, and I will say it, you are in control even when it looks like life has taken its toll. We are clay in your hands, and you will not pass us through the fire until you know for certain that we are fearful and wonderfully made so that we can withstand it.
Application:
If there is anything I know, it’s how quickly things can seem to spin out of control. This morning all I can say is thanks be to GOD that I am in HIS hands, and still able to be shaped. What looks like the end is really only the beginning. A new vessel is being shaped, one that is curved in the right areas with the right amount of clay, pressure, and water, so that the fast paced life will not break it down. Have you ever been there? Maybe you’re there now. Maybe you are at a point where the pressure was too much and it all fell apart. If so, I want to encourage you to stay soft, and pliable. Don’t let the events harden your heart. I know it’s hard to do. Most of us, including myself, after a major event want to run from it all, crawl into a little hole and forget about the world all together. I know the feeling. But today we have to react differently. We have to allow GOD to take us back to the POTTER’S wheel and shape us into a vessel used for HIS honor and glory, HE knows what HE is doing and HE sees more than what is right in front of you, as long as we do not become hardened HE is still able to shape us. We may not like going back to the POTTER’S wheel, but it’s ok we are not the ones who are in control… HE is, and HE knows the purpose HE has made us for, while we can only see what is right in front of us, HE sees our entire life from beginning to end, HE knows the pressure that’s coming and how thick we will have to be in certain areas so that we do not cave to the deception that is on its way. If you are anything like me GOD has taken you back to the wheel over and over again. What I want us all to remember is that HE is the author and finisher of our faith. If by chance you are on the wheel being shaped by HIS hands take the time to thank HIM for not throwing you back in with the rest of the clay and grabbing a different lump. Let HIM shape you, let HIM mold you, after all HE is bringing out the image of HIS SON in you and ultimately that’s the goal for all of us. I want to be more like Jesus today than I was yesterday. I hope that’s exactly where you are also.
Prayer:
Father, we know that in the moment we don’t always see what you are doing, but we want to ask you today to shape us the way you see fit. We want to be usable in your kingdom, and we know we are only vessels of who you are. We want to stay pliable in your hands. Although the pressure may seem too much for us, you know exactly what you are making us for, and all we can really ask for is that our heart be filled with the love we need to stay soft in your eyes. We do not want to be hardened by what has happened. Although life hurts at times we know that you have a purpose for all the pain. We know that you will place just the right amount of pressure and give us the exact amount of water so the vessel comes out just the way you want it. Tune our ears to hear you as you shape us so that we do not have to go back to the wheel again and again. Its in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.