“THE WORD which came to Jeremiah from the Lord: Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words. Then I went down to the potter's house, and behold, he was working at the wheel. And the vessel that he was making from clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he made it over, reworking it into another vessel as it seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the Lord came to me: O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.”
Jeremiah 18:1-6 AMPC
Most of us were so marred and scarred by life when Jesus found us that He had to, like the potter, make us over again into another vessel. We don’t look like, smell like, act like the marred clay we once were. The Master Potter has wrought a wondrous work in us. To most we’re unrecognizable. Folks ask: what has happened to you, what has gotten into you? We give a simple answer but it’s actually very profound what has happened in us and for us- JESUS.
Sometimes we can’t even put into words what has happened. It’s overwhelming. Two things stood out to me in these verses. So he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make, and Yahweh’s question to Jeremiah. “Can I not do with you as this potter?” He continues. As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in MY hand! Those are by far the most reassuring and powerful words directed at all those who are feeling marred or scarred by life. If we will trust our lives to the Potter, He will remake us, using the same messed up clay, shaping us into another vessel. This is what the Bible says.
“And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC
We are continuously being perfected as we are transformed from one degree of glory to another. Bearing His resemblance through our words, actions and deeds. If clay could talk it would tell us that the shaping, cutting away of excesses, and the moulding process isn’t pleasant, but the finished product is breathtaking. Aren’t we always amazed by what our Potter produces in our lives? Some of us don’t even recognize ourselves. For some the change is immediate, for others it’s a slow process. But whenever God is allowed to remake us, when we submit to His pruning, when we don’t run away because it’s unpleasant, we emerge as vessels of honor for His glory. Nothing is wasted in the Potter’s hands.
I wrote in a previous message that whatever God allows, not causes, is on purpose. What we need is His perspective on what we’re going through. Romans 8:28 comes to mind. For those who love Him, everything works together for good. Why did Yahweh choose to use the potter’s house as an object lesson for Jeremiah? To show us that He is capable of using messed up lives and situations placed in His hands, but we must be willing to submit to Him. If you read the entire chapter it isn’t a pleasant read. It tells of a people who didn’t like what the Potter was offering. They wanted their own way. They hated Jeremiah because he was a reminder of everything God stood for and they didn’t. But here God is saying if they will repent, I can do exactly as the potter is doing with the clay. I can make them over. I don’t even need fresh clay, in My hands you will be transformed.
This is what Solomon spoke of when he cautioned against despising the Lord’s chastening. Proverbs 3:11-18 and the writer of Hebrews as well-Hebrews 12:6-9. The work of the potter is tedious but rewarding. The clay has to cooperate. That’s why the potter had to start over when it became marred, but he didn’t throw it away. Instead he used the same clay to fashion something beautiful. So are we in His hands if we will submit to His shaping and pruning. Jesus said that pruning produces more and better fruit-Fruit that remains. We love to sing “You are the Potter I am the clay,” But we don’t really get what that means. If we did, we’d complain less and praise more, knowing that in His hands nothing is wasted.
Is your life spinning out of control? Get back on the Potter’s wheel. Are you feeling burdened by the cares of this life? Have you been hurt by someone, disappointed and disillusioned by poor choices? Get back on the Potter’s wheel. He said He’s able to make you over into another vessel that seems good to Him. He’s still shaping masterpieces. Won’t you be His?
The Potter: “ I am eager to share My life with you. The help that I give you is My life within you. My life is healing, strength, wisdom, and power. Lay hold of My life, eternal life, and you will find that everything changes. Come today. Come closer to Me, for I am your Potter, your Healer, your Father, your Hiding Place.” From I hear His Whisper.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
February 7, 2022