Devotional on Jeremiah

2009 – Sea Plane at Ketchikan, AK

In the hands of the Master Workman
Jeremiah 18: In the same way that this potter works his clay, I work on you.
People who have no idea that this illustration of how God works in lives comes from the book of Jeremiah are well aware of this parable. The picture of the potter sculpting the clay and then remaking it is as clear a parable as we’ll ever see. It’s not that the potter doesn’t know what he’s doing or that he becomes distracted and messes up. The problem is that something in the clay resists and the result isn’t satisfactory to the craftsman. However, as long as the clay is pliable in the master’s hands it can be remade into something just as beautiful and usable as the first version would have been. It’s somewhat sobering to read on. The point Jeremiah’s making is that, while the Potter is capable of salvaging the situation, the clay continues to resist. The prophet says his people say, “What’s the point? We’ll live just the way we’ve always lived.” God can handle their failure and rebellion. He can remake them, bringing something good out of even this hopeless situation. Sadly though, they won’t let him. Today, I don’t have to be a perfect person to be sculpted by the Master’s hand. However, I do have to be willing for that to happen. I don’t come to God and say, “I’ve done a pretty good job on my life so far, how about you doing the finishing touches?” Instead, I say, “Here’s my life, the good and bad of it. I place myself in your hands knowing you can remake me in a way that will be good.” God save us from thinking our lives can’t be made new by his hand.
Take Away: God is the God of Second Chances.

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