Genesis 2:7 (NLT)

Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.

Genesis 3:9 (NLT)

Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

Job 10:9 (NIV)

Remember that you molded me like clay.
Will you now turn me to dust again?

2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

1. God, The Potter, is constantly at work at the wheel.

Jeremiah 18:1-3 (NLT)

The Lord gave another message to Jeremiah. He said, 2 “Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” 3 So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel.

Isaiah 64:8 (NLT)

And yet, O Lord, you are our Father.
We are the clay, and you are the potter.
We all are formed by your hand.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

1. God, The Potter, is constantly at work at the wheel.

2. The Potter has the right to mold the clay however He wishes, and the clay has no choice but to trust.

Jeremiah 18:4-6 (NLT)

4 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. 5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6 “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.

Romans 9:20-23 (NLT)

20 No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? 22 In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. 23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory.

Isaiah 29:16 (NLT)

How foolish can you be?
He is the Potter, and he is certainly greater than you, the clay!
Should the created thing say of the one who made it,
“He didn’t make me”?
Does a jar ever say,
“The potter who made me is stupid”?

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV)

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed,but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

Grace Prayer For The Week:

God, thank You for seeing me as a work in progress, help me to be malleable – mold me into Your desire for my life.

When I’ve made my own desires more important than Yours, God - mold me into Your desire for my life.

Though it is painful, take this stone heart, God, and give me a heart of flesh - mold into Your desire for my life.

God, You know my imperfections and the things in me that hurt You. Show them to me – mold me into Your desire for my life.

Like a gardener prunes the vine, take away those things in me that do not honor You - mold me into Your desire for my life.

God, Your ways are good and you work in Your own time, I want to trust You - mold me into Your desire for my life.

God, when I feel pressed-in from every side, when I am in despair and feel abandoned - mold me into Your desire for my life. Amen.

For My Personal Time With God This Week:

[#1] Read Jeremiah 18 and 19 this week. Consider how God molds in chapter 18, but then threatens to break those who are not malleable in chapter 19. In what areas of your life is God trying to mold you? Are there any areas where God may be at the point of breaking you, because you have not been willing to allow the Potter to mold you thus far?
[#2] Sometimes when we are struck down, we can at least feel like we are being destroyed. What do Psalm 34:18 and Psalm 51:17 say to those feelings?
[#3] Have you ever thought about how God has shaped you in your life? What times in your life can you see the most clearly that God has molded you, and how? Were there any times when you thought you were being molded one way and then everything changed and suddenly you were on a different path?
[#4] Romans 9:20-23 and 2 Timothy 2:19-21 say that some of us as vessels are made for honor and others for dishonor. Why do you think that is? Which do you think God made you for, and why?