Bible Reading: Jeremiah 18:1-6 & 2 Corinthians 5:17
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, "Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?" declares the Lord. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new creation. The past is forgotten, and everything is new.
A Thought
God can speak to us in many different ways, if we would only listen. The safest and most reliable way for us to hear God's voice is through the scriptures which are the inspired word of God. If I fail to read them, I know I am cutting out a major line of communication. But God also speaks to us through the day-to-day events of life. Whatever we are doing, in our homes, our gardens or our workplace; whether we are walking, cycling or out for a run, we have the opportunity to tune into God and to listen to his quiet voice.
This happened with Jeremiah at his visit to his local pottery. With his eyes he saw the potter shaping the clay, gently removing the imperfections, and skilfully remoulding it into a pot that he was pleased with. But with his spirit, Jeremiah saw God gently and lovingly moulding and reshaping his people, removing their imperfections, and producing a pot that pleased him.
There is a message here for us as well. We too are like clay in the potter’s hands. If we will let him, God will lovingly smooth away our imperfections and he will skilfully mould us and reshape us, to produce in us a pot that he can use for his purposes and for his glory.
Paul, in his letter to the church in Corinth, tells us that when we put our faith in Jesus we become a new creation; the failings of the past are completely gone, and we have a new start.
Can you imagine yourself for a moment as clay in God’s hands? Will you allow him to smooth away the cracks and failings of the past, so they are not just invisible to the eye, they are no longer there?
Will you allow him to mould you and to reshape you into something that is both useful to him and beautiful in his sight?
Reflect for a moment. If you were clay, shaped by God, what sort of vessel would you be? What does this ‘new creation’ look like? How might he want to use you for his purposes and for his glory?
A Prayer
Father God, thank you that you are always at work in my life, forgiving me and reshaping me for your purpose and to your glory. As I go about my daily life, help me to tune in to your quiet voice as you lead me and guide me in your ways.
Amen.
Lord, I come to you
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