Potter's Clay
Today’s Verse:
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. ~Isaiah 64:8
Pottery is one the most intriguing professions of our day and age. While many things that used to involve much hand labor have been automated, pottery is still a hands-on craft. There is a precision and skill that a professional potter must master in order for him to turn out superior results. The entire shaping and outcome of pottery is at the discretion of the potter. The Bible uses the metaphor of a potter and clay to describe the complete, satisfying, and ultimate relationship God wants us to have with Him.
We see the potter and his MIND.
Before the potter starts the process of making a piece of pottery, he always begins with an idea. Before he starts, he knows what he wants to make. It could be a beautiful vase, a jar, a cup, or anything else that will be of great use. In the same way, God has an awesome idea and a sovereign plan in mind for us. We refer to this as the perfect will of God. God’s will is that each of us become more like His Son, Jesus Christ, in our character and spirituality. While we will not be perfect in this life, we can be conformed to Christ in grace and knowledge. Then, God is making us for the purpose of fulfilling an essential role in our generation to impact the lives of other people. David served his generation by the will of God, and in a similar way, God is working through us to accomplish the same.
We see the potter and his MAKING.
The potter takes the clay, places it on a potter’s wheel, and as he starts to spin the clay on the wheel, he uses his hands to shape and mold the clay from the inside out. In order for the clay to turn out in the form of the pottery the potter has in mind, the clay must be entirely at the control of the potter. The clay does not have a say in this process. The potter is the one in control. Isaiah said, “We are the clay, and thou art our potter.” It is a wonderful thing when we as God’s people give Him full control over every area of our life, and allow Him to shape and mold us. Just as the potter works from the inside out, God does His work in us from the inside out. His powerful, perfect hands are working in our hearts and souls to bring us to the place where there is softness, compassion, and pliability. When this is present, the Potter is able to make pottery that is “meet for the Master’s use.”
We see the potter and the MARRING.
Sometimes, the clay will incorporate a foreign object or develop an air pocket while it is on the potter’s wheel. When this happens, the pottery will become marred. This means it is susceptible to chipping easily or, worse, falling apart! It is what Jeremiah describes as being marred in the potter’s hands. When we allow sin, disobedience, or waywardness in our lives to interfere with the Potter, our lives are marred. We are useless and cannot achieve what the Potter has in mind. It is when we yield complete control to Him that the Potter is able to make us again into another vessel. Praise the Lord that He desires to make us again, in spite of impurities or air pockets we allow in our lives.
We see the potter and MERCHANDISE.
The finished product of a potter is that beautiful vase, pitcher, cup, or vessel! The finished product is the work of his hands! Paul tells us in Phil 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” The good work that God began in us started the moment Christ became our Savior. When we allow God to be “hands-on” with our lives, there is a perfect and good work that will be the result. He is the Potter and we are the clay. Let God complete His work in you!
Have a faithful God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 1-2