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How insane is it to think that a piece of clay has any say in what the potter is doing? Yet, many pieces of clay today insult the Potter by protesting against His hands. It really is completely crazy. The potter is molding and shaping the clay into something fantastic. No potter intentionally creates a terrible piece. His eyes are on the possibilities and opportunities. The potter knows that just being clay is not the final objective. There is a beautiful piece of pottery that is waiting but that process can be both difficult and sometimes painful work.
As I picture this scene, my mind races toward what I would want as a potter. The best-case scenario would be clay that was soft and moldable. This kind of attitude illustrates that the Potter knows what is best for the clay and in the end will produce that kind of outcome. Speaking of outcome, does the clay really have any control over the potter? Not really. Of course, the clay could make it difficult for the potter to complete his work but then why would the potter want to continue? He would simply throw that piece of clay in the trash and start on a new piece.
But God doesn’t do that. The fact that He disciplines us (as He is doing here with Judah in Chapter 18) shows His love for us. Even though we deserve to be tossed out, He continues to shape us on his master wheel. His patience is unbelievable. Even in His punishment of us we see His grace. This is the reality of the God we serve. Do we realize that? Do we even consider it? How moldable are you right now to the Potter?