The Potter and the Clay

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

Jeremiah 18:1-5

[ The Potter and the Clay ] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

“Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words.”

So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel.

And 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.

“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."

Most of the time when we see pottery, we see the finished product. I think that everyone should visit a potter or take a class in pottery so that you can see how to make something from a lump of clay. The Potter is particular about His work. If there is a flaw He isn't going to put his stamp of approval on it. How can you use a piece of pottery that is cracked or has a hole in it? It won't serve its purpose. Normally He will take it and remold it until it is a finished piece. It then has to go through the fire to be set. Once it comes out of the fire it is sealed and completed and ready for use.

This is how it is for us. We need to allow Christ to mold our lives. There will be things that He finds in our lives that are flawed and will need to remold us for His use so that we can be perfect. We will need to go through the fire. 

Isaiah 45:9

“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? 

We do not know what is best for us, but God does and we will be a wonderful finished piece of pottery if we allow Him to work in our lives. It takes time and patience. As we live one day at a time we need to be willing to allow God to mold us and then "fire" us so that we can be a completed piece ready to be used for the Master.

Back at the turn of the 20th Century Ms. Pollard believed that God wanted her to go to Africa but she was unable to raise the money. She was at a prayer meeting when she heard an elderly woman say, "It's all right Lord, it doesn't matter what you bring into our lives, just have Your own way with us." It led her to write the hymn- Have Thine Own Way Lord.

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.

Are you willing?