“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.” Jeremiah 18:1-3 (NLT)
Although God’s plans are sometimes unknown to us, He has revealed His will for us in scripture. Therefore, we should seek to understand what has been unveiled to us from the Holy Writ.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105 (KJV). As the psalmist walked the road of life, God’s Word made his steps clear.
The apostle declared, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV).
We need His Word to guide our steps and to teach us His will. Honestly, it is ironic and even futile for us to seek the will of God while we intentionally choose to neglect and apply the Word of God.
We’ll never experience God’s hidden will for the future if we refuse to follow His revealed will in the present.
Honestly, it is ironic and even futile for us to seek the will of God while we intentionally choose to neglect and apply the Word of God.
Justin Henry
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT).
God has a plan and purpose designed specifically for you. However, it is crucial to understand those plans won’t automatically come to pass simply because He desires them. Peter gives us a perfect example in his second letter.
“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT).
There are events that God has determined will come to pass regardless of our actions. Nonetheless, we are free moral agents, meaning we are not puppets on a string. He allows us to make our own choices and reach our own decisions. It would be contrary to His loving nature to force us to follow Him.
Determining the will of God and then doing it is the most essential endeavor in your life. Every day you live out of His will, you are hindering what He wants to do for you, with you, and in you.
He has promised to lead and guide you with the only condition being that you cooperate with Him.
“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 (NLT).
As He gives direction, we make the decisions.
We’ll never experience God’s hidden will for the future if we refuse to follow His revealed will in the present.
Justin Henry
Perhaps the most picturesque illustration to express to us the way God endeavors to mold and shape us is the potter at work on his wheel. Here we see how an insignificant lump of clay can be formed into a beautiful vessel through the potter’s skill and loving care.
The process begins when the potter carefully positions the lump of clay in the center of his wheel. Just like the potter, God takes special care to center your life in His will. As the wheel begins to spin, you whirl upon the surface and through the master’s hands while He molds your life.
What may be puzzling to you is completely clear to the Potter. Only He knows the potential that can emerge as His will is impressed upon it.
However, when resistance is encountered, the potter stops the wheel to remove the particle of grit or grain of sand to keep from scarring or gouging the vessel beyond repair. When you are living out of God’s will, resistance is created, the wheel is forced to stop, and sadly, you’re in danger of never becoming what He has desired.
The single greatest deterrent to the accomplishment of God’s will in your life…is your own will.
“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 18:4 (NLT).
It is mystifying to consider that God’s tender, gracious hands can be thwarted by our own stubborn wills.
The single greatest deterrent to the accomplishment of God’s will in your life…is your own will.
Justin Henry
This illustration clearly reveals that the success or failure of our development under the Master’s hands lies in how we respond to His touch. Will you experience all that God wants for you, or will you settle for something less? Will the wheel keep spinning as you allow Him to shape and mold your life?
Father, you are the Potter and I am the clay…
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV).
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