Topic: The Potter’s House — Friday September 22, 2017.
Text: Jeremiah 18:1-17
Key Verse: "O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 18:6).
Jeremiah, the prophet, was commanded to visit the potter’s house. After observing the ease with which the potter maneuvered the clay which was helplessly marred in his hands, the message was now clear to Jeremiah: Israel had abandoned the theocratic arrangement and decided to be like other nations. They chose their gods and rebelled against the true Lover of their souls. God also threatened to break His earlier promise to protect them.
Clay, in its natural state, was seldom fit for use. Several stages of preparation were usually necessary. The clay must be softened before it can be fashioned. The clay was mixed with water and sifted to remove any stones or foreign objects that did not need to be there. This was the process of refining the clay in order to make the very best vessel. A fine vessel that will harden and hold liquids and maintain its shape had to be exposed to a minimum temperature of 500 degrees. The beauty of a properly fired clay is that it will not breakdown and disintegrate, even if buried for thousands of years.
God cannot use the natural man the way he is without first conditioning him to become suitable. First, there must be a new birth experience. Sin must be purged out in its entirety. The Lord will then allow us pass through the fire of persecution, trials and temptations for our complete refinement. Then, comes the sanctification experience where the heart is purged from dead works to serve the living God.
Satisfied that all inner and outer defilements have been removed, He then pours His Holy Spirit upon us for our empowerment for service. We must be prepared to wait through all these experiences. It is only when we have been fully refined as gold that we can ever be fit for the Master’s use and made ready for every good work as vessels unto honour (2 Timothy 2:21).
Thought for the day: You must pass through the fire before you become gold.
Bible Reading in one Year: Numbers 35-36
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