A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"The Potter"

He sat there in total concentration upon his work. He was oblivious to the group of people surrounding him. His feet skillful spun the wheel varying its speed according to need. His strong gentle hands were wrapped around a lump of clay in the middle of the spinning wheel. With almost imperceptible motion he applied pressure to the clay with artistic genius, giving it shape. Wooden sticks became precision instruments in his hands cutting away excess clay, and creating design. Right before my eyes, the shapeless, useless lump of clay took on beautiful shape and was transformed into a useful vessel. That potter saw something in that lump of clay that I did not see when he placed it upon the spinning wheel. And with artistic expertise he formed it into a useful vessel of unique, rich beauty. He made it what he wanted it to be. I stood in awe, mesmerized by his masterful work.

As I stood there watching the potter at work, I felt a little like Jeremiah. (18:1-12) I was at the potter's house by choice. Jeremiah was at the potter's house because God directed him there. God took him there to give him a message. The potter at work was a living illustration. Jeremiah watched the potter take a marred vessel and remake it into a completely different vessel according to his own choice. God likened Himself to that potter and Israel to the clay in His hands. It is He that knew what they should be. It was He that was to form them into what they should be. But there was a problem. Israel, unlike clay, had a choice in the matter. God would not make them into what they should be unless they submitted to His work. The message to Jeremiah was a call to Israel to return to God and submit to His will and shaping. He tells Israel through Jeremiah that if the people will turn from their evil ways and return to Him He will be their potter.

This has not changed. Paul in Romans 9 draws upon the same imagery asking God's people; "Does not the potter have the right to make out of the clay what He wants?" (paraphrase of v. 21) God has the right to make us into whatever He wants. He is sovereign. But, by His own choosing, he does not force it upon us. Rather, He has given us the right and responsibility to submit to His molding and shaping. By grace through faith we must climb upon His spinning wheel and in submission place ourselves into His, The Potter's, hands. Jesus calls to each and everyone of us, "follow me and I will make you."

We struggle with this. We want to be "self-made individuals." We are taught to be in control and take charge of our own destiny. We are taught from our youth that we are a bundle of potentiality, and can be anything we want to be. Even after we have been made new creatures in Christ, we want a say in what He makes us. Besides, who knows us better than we know ourselves? Who knows better what is best for us than ourselves?

In fact God, The Potter, does! In view of this fact and God's mercy the only reasonable act is to offer our bodies as living sacrifices wholly and acceptable unto Him, so we are no longer pushed into the mold of the world, but transformed into a unique and beautiful vessel useful to the Master. (see Romans 12:1-2) As difficult as it may be to abandon ourselves in absolute submission to God, there is no other way to be what we need to be. To be clay in The Potter's hands is what we must be. That is why we join the song writer in praying; "Have Thine own way Lord. Have Thine own way. Thou art the Potter I am the clay. Mold me and make me, after Thy will. While I am waiting, yielded and still." Amen! Thou art the Potter! I am the clay.

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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