Clay in the Potter’s Hand

Jeremiah 18:1-11

How many of you have ever seen pottery being made by hand? There is a pottery studio in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, that produces a variety of items, including cups, bowls, vases, and plates. A lot of them have Elfie the Elephant, which is the Alabama Crimson Tide’s mascot. Jenefer has numerous pieces, including one that spoiled in the potter’s hand. This bowl could not be sold at the regular price since it is not useful. The lady who does these told us that most of the time, she would break it down and reshape the piece. If they cannot be used for the creation she is making, they are remade.

Let that sink in for a moment. “If they cannot be used for the creation God is making, they are remade.”

God created Israel for a purpose, His purpose, as stated in Exodus 19:5-6. There are processes that YHWH tells Jeremiah how His molding of them will take place. First, they and we must be in YHWH’s hands. The second process is reworking. The third process, understanding it, can sometimes be a painful experience.

Exodus 19:5–6 ESV

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

YHWH’s Hands:

Israel was called by God to be used as a priest for Him. Their failure stemmed from allowing foreign gods and false teachers to enter their presence. I love what Henry Blackaby says in Experiencing God, “The clay must remain in the potter’s hand. When the potter has finished making the instrument, it has no ability to do what it wants.” Israel jumped out of the Hands of YHWH and tried to make themselves into what they wanted. The moment we leave The Holy Spirit’s hands is the moment when we start failing.

Israel was trying to return to Egypt within the first day of the Exodus. In Egypt, they were never going to be what God had intended for them to be. What happens is that when we become used to being slaves, we do not know or understand how to be free in Christ. Being in captivity, Israel or us would never be what YHWH created us for. Many of us aspire to be like this bowl. We are okay being distorted, but that is not why God saved us. He wants to move us through the following process of reworking.

To be God’s servant, you must be moldable and remain in the hands of the Master, Henry Blackaby.

Reworking:

The potter we visited discussed the need to work and rework each piece to achieve the desired shape and characteristics of the pottery. God does the same with us. Listen to what Jeremiah observed, “…the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel.” Why? Because it seemed reasonable for the potter to do. The potter in their minds has the idea of what each piece is meant to look like and serve as. YHWH knows precisely what you are meant to look like and what your service to the Kingdom is.

The problem is that we have our idea of what we want to be. News flash, your ways are not God’s ways, Isaiah 55:8-9. But for us to become what He intended for us, we must be willing to go through the process of being reworked. When you came into this world, you were already battling sinful flesh. Just as the old saying goes, our kids are already in debt because of the nation’s debt, and we come into the world with sin because of Adam, as stated in Romans 5:12. That is not God’s intention for you. He did not send His Son to die and rescue us from our penalty to leave us the same old man. He has so much more for you, but you need to be reworked. This process is neither quick nor painless.

Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Romans 5:12 ESV

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

Painful:

How many of you remember the saying, “No pain, No gain.” When we decide to start getting into shape and eating correctly, we will go through a growing pain. Some of us want to bypass the pain and get to the gain. But you do not get gain without pain. It also makes you appreciate the process of where you were and where you are now. When it comes to our life in Christ, we will experience a lot of pain during our growth. We are going to make a choice that is not in our best interest, and when God brings us back, it will be painful. It is not because God is trying to be this mean Father, but because He loves us, He is not willing to leave us where we are.

I remember growing up, and my dad would spank me. He would say, “This is going to hurt me more than you.” At the time, I wanted to say, You are a liar! When I had to correct my daughters, I understood what he meant. It is the same with our Father God. He does not want to discipline us, but because He loves us, He does, as Hebrews 12:5-6 states. Listen to what YHWH tells Jeremiah, “…a kingdom that I will build and plant it….” Anyone who has ever planted or built something knows that it can be a challenging and painful process.

Hebrews 12:5–6 ESV

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Yesterday, I reworked my wife’s front rock area. I planted three Hibiscus. It was not an easy process. I had to remove all the rocks where I was going to plant. When I started to dig the hole about 6” down, I had to bust up concrete that was left there. Multiple times, I thought Why in the world am I doing this. But once I finished, the outcome was beautiful. I also kept telling myself, your wife is worth all the pain you are going through.

We will have pain in our growth with Christ. At times, the enemy will try to sow seeds of doubt. This is how you know the enemy is trying to discourage you. When you ask, 'Why did you make me this way?' remember what Paul said in Romans 9:20-21.

Romans 9:20–21 ESV

But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?

But you stay in YHWH’s hands, allow Him to rework you, and endure the pain, because the outcome He has for you is so much more beautiful than any of us can ever imagine.

Application:

1. Everyone is in the hands of God. Verse 7

2. He will rework us. Just as the potter reworks the clay, so does God rework us into the image of His Son.

3. It will be painful. Remember, anytime there is growth, pain will be associated with it. God does not intend to leave us where we are!