18 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.1
If God asked you to go on a field trip with Him, would you go? That’s exactly what happened to Jeremiah here in chapter eighteen. God invited the prophet down to the local pottery shop, which was a common part of any neighborhood market back then. This was no ordinary stroll to go shopping, God had a lesson to show Jeremiah about Israel’s relationship with their Lord.
Even if you have no experience with pottery, we all realize the clay is molded and shaped by hand to form the vessel the potter wants. It can be fascinating to watch these master craftsmen and women at work. You may have even heard of Seagrove, a tiny town in central North Carolina that is world famous for its pottery markets and shops.
Sometimes, however, the clay materials don’t cooperate like they should. Despite the craftsman’s effort, imperfections and impurities in the clay produce flaws in the finished product. A wise and experienced potter usually catches as many of these mistakes as possible before putting the clay in the heating kiln. He breaks the clay down and starts again, reforming it in his hands until the new vessel is right.
This is the way God works in the lives of His children. Isaiah 64:8 reminds us: “You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are the work of Your hands.”
Jeremiah learned that only God has the power to remake broken people, like His nation of Israel, and only if they trust and obey Him. Jeremiah then reminded Israel that God was ready and able to rebuild and revitalize His people, if only they would repent. The same is true for you and me – the Lord’s mercy and healing is available when we repent of sin and put faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today's Devotional was contributed by Mr. Stephen Nobles.
(The Ephesus Baptist Church Pastoral Ministry Intern)
(If you are associated with Ephesus Baptist Church and would like to contribute a devotional to our blog, then send us a devotional of 350 words or less to pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com)
Read more of our devotions and other articles at our Pastor's Blog!
If you would like to be added to our informational email list, contact us at office.ephesusnc@gmail.com.
Please let us know what you think about today's devotion, or how it has helped you grow spiritually by leaving us a comment on our Facebook page below this devotion. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Please consider helping Ephesus Baptist Church advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ by donating to the mission at ebcspringhope.com/give.
God is the Potter, We are His Clay
Old Testament Wednesday!
God is the Potter, We are His Clay
Jeremiah 18:1–4
18 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” 3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. 4 And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.1
If God asked you to go on a field trip with Him, would you go? That’s exactly what happened to Jeremiah here in chapter eighteen. God invited the prophet down to the local pottery shop, which was a common part of any neighborhood market back then. This was no ordinary stroll to go shopping, God had a lesson to show Jeremiah about Israel’s relationship with their Lord.
Even if you have no experience with pottery, we all realize the clay is molded and shaped by hand to form the vessel the potter wants. It can be fascinating to watch these master craftsmen and women at work. You may have even heard of Seagrove, a tiny town in central North Carolina that is world famous for its pottery markets and shops.
Sometimes, however, the clay materials don’t cooperate like they should. Despite the craftsman’s effort, imperfections and impurities in the clay produce flaws in the finished product. A wise and experienced potter usually catches as many of these mistakes as possible before putting the clay in the heating kiln. He breaks the clay down and starts again, reforming it in his hands until the new vessel is right.
This is the way God works in the lives of His children. Isaiah 64:8 reminds us: “You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are the potter; we are the work of Your hands.”
Jeremiah learned that only God has the power to remake broken people, like His nation of Israel, and only if they trust and obey Him. Jeremiah then reminded Israel that God was ready and able to rebuild and revitalize His people, if only they would repent. The same is true for you and me – the Lord’s mercy and healing is available when we repent of sin and put faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today's Devotional was contributed by Mr. Stephen Nobles.
(The Ephesus Baptist Church Pastoral Ministry Intern)
(If you are associated with Ephesus Baptist Church and would like to contribute a devotional to our blog, then send us a devotional of 350 words or less to pastor.ephesusnc@gmail.com)
Read more of our devotions and other articles at our Pastor's Blog!
If you would like to be added to our informational email list, contact us at office.ephesusnc@gmail.com.
Please let us know what you think about today's devotion, or how it has helped you grow spiritually by leaving us a comment on our Facebook page below this devotion. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Please consider helping Ephesus Baptist Church advance the Gospel and the Kingdom of Christ by donating to the mission at ebcspringhope.com/give.
1 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Jeremiah 18:1-4.