Year of Exposure Day 33: We cannot escape the hand of the Potter.

“O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭18‬:‭6‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In Paul’s instruction to Timothy, he describes many things that should be avoided, as they lead to more ungodliness. In this context, Paul reminds Timothy of two individuals who had purveyed the message that the resurrection of the dead had already happened. Sadly, their false teaching had led some away from the faith.

“Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Lest Timothy should become discouraged in the face of this kind of false teaching, and those who follow after it, Paul reminds him that God isn’t fooled by any of people‘s foolishness.

“But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.””

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Indeed, the Lord knows those who belong to Him. This being the case, we must cleanse ourselves of all things that are contrary to the righteousness of God.

To bring home this point to Timothy, and to indicate that what we allow in ourselves will affect how we can be used by the Lord, Paul gave an illustration of the different vessels found within a house.

“In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, how we prepare ourselves definitely will determine whether, and how, God will use us.

Tragically, if we will not follow what God has said, then we may have to face destruction. This is a principle the Lord illustrated to Jeremiah in a very unique way, by having him go observe a potter making a vessel.

“The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭18‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Yes, Jeremiah observed that when the vessel did not respond to the potter’s hands as he desired, it was crushed so that it could be reformed as the potter desired.

In our opening scripture, we see God‘s interpretation of what Jeremiah had seen at the potter’s house: The Lord, as the Potter, has every right to destroy a vessel that will not be rightly formed.

The Lord then gave a message of warning to Jeremiah to convey to Israel.

““Therefore, Jeremiah, go and warn all Judah and Jerusalem. Say to them, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am planning disaster for you instead of good. So turn from your evil ways, each of you, and do what is right.’””

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭18‬:‭11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Child of God, the Potter’s hand will ultimately determine what will happen to us. Therefore, let us be good moldable clay in His hand. In doing so, we allow the Lord to prepare us to be filled with good things. But if we will not yield under His hand, a crushing is inevitable.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!