In the Potter's hand

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Go down at once to the potter’s house; there I will reveal my words to you.” So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, working away at the wheel. But the jar that he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar, as it seemed right for him to do. The word of the Lord came to me: “House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?”—this is the Lord’s declaration. “Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. Jeremiah 18:1-6

From the text, the image of the potter and the clay provides us a clear depiction of God’s sovereignty. It puts a stop to our attitude of pride and silences our pretensions. Clay left on its own has no plans, no aspirations for service, and to perform a task. It was designed to be molded and because it is pliable, should be totally submissive to the will of its potter. God raised a question through Jeremiah; “House of Israel, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay?” It was a rhetorical question and no follower of God should answer the question with a negative. When God is the Lord of our lives, we are to follow and let Him do what He pleases. “He does what he wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can block his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:35). We cannot just make a blanket declaration to God and say, “I’ve discovered my strengths and gifts, and I know how I can best serve You!” Or, “I am aware of what my flaws and weaknesses are, so I know I am limited for Your use.” Since we are the clay and God is the Potter, He is not limited to working with our strengths or our weaknesses (see 2 Cor. 12:9–10). He can mold us into whatever kind of instrument He requires and all he wants from us is our humility and submission. All He wants from us is our willingness to be filled by his Spirit. God uses those who are willing to let Him remove their impurities and use them to do mighty things for His glory. Nothing admirable attributes could be found from a clay yet in the hands of the Potter “will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com