Jeremiah 10:14 - 23:8
In Jeremiah 18 and 19 we get to take a trip to the potter's house.
Jeremiah 18:1-6 "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!
We have heard this before in Isaiah.
Isaiah 64:8 But now, O LORD, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.
There are two things I want to share about the story of the potter.
The first is that God can take cracked, marred, and broken people and form them into someone good and with purpose. He can fix the brokenness. He can fix the loneliness. He can fix the life marred and stained by sin. He can fix the rough edges around the corners.
For whatever reason, sometimes God doesn't fix what we think is broken. I think it is a matter of perspective. Sometimes the things we most want God to take care of, are the things that draw us closer to Him. Maybe the odd shape of our pot is what brought us into a saving knowledge of Jesus, or a deeper dependence on God. I don't know the answers to why the potter fashions the clay in certain ways, but then again I don't have to.
Which brings me to my second point. God is the potter. That brings fear to some, but it should be peace to those that love and follow Him. I would much rather trust in the character of God to form and fashion me the way He pleases than depend on me or anyone else to mold the clay. And if we truly believe that God is holy, loving, and gracious; then the potter's wheel becomes not just a place for correction, but a place of comfort, rest, and beauty.
And when your at the Potter's house, you can sing:
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
