Worship

Scripture

I really enjoy drawing and painting. In fact, I like doing any kind of artistic thing. The problem is that none of those things like me very much. In school, I actually had homework for coloring. I still remember one assignment that was disguised as math but was really about coloring. There were ducks everywhere and because I was pretty good at math, I knew then that my problem was not in counting the ducks. It was the fact that none of the ducks had a semblance of being properly colored….and no I don’t mean that my teacher was a waterfowl expert who demanded proper hues. I mean my red splotch of color wasn’t even close to the duck; it was more the stuff of scary dreams.  We once tried our hand at pottery clay. I made a cup, and to this day I still insist it was a cup no matter what you say it is. So, in chapter 18, when the Lord starts using the idea of pottery and shaping clay, I remembered my failed efforts. All that to say this—The Lord wanted people to understand that if a potter could take the clay and form something and then reform it yet again because it wasn’t what the potter wanted, how much more could the Lord do the same? If He took a people and prepared them for destruction because of all their sinful ways BUT they changed their heart towards HIM, he could reshape that as easily as the potter reshapes clay. Similarly, if the Lord planned a great blessing for a country and they decided they weren’t interested in Him, he could reshape that plan as well. In His mercy, He could change what was planned for a nation. He also wanted those who took pride in themselves to understand that it was God in charge—not themselves. Their pride could actually cause a problem that meant reshaping again. The Lord wants us to understand that He can take any situation and reshape it when we follow after HIM with our hearts. He always wants us to realize that it’s HIM and not us—the pottery doesn’t get to tell the potter that it isn’t interested in what the potter wants. So if we change our hearts toward Him, He can change us as easy as a potter changes the clay.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Romans11:33

Oh, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

 In every instance that I do not have an answer, God does. 

ASK GOD

Romans 8:32 NASB

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 

 Surely the Lord is willing to grant us our very minor requests in comparison to the absolute best that Heaven has to offer; which He has already given us in His son Jesus!

SUBMIT TO GOD

Lamentations 3:24-25

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those who await Him, To the person who seeks Him. 

 I chose to wait until God’s answer is clear, until His hand is present, until His peace is my guiding force. I trust in His goodness.

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, we know you are in control. Thank you that we can trust in your power and your word. Help us to recognize the magicians and illusions of this world that will attempt to distract us from your power. May your Holy Spirit lead us through conviction and encouragement to trust in your holy word.  In Jesus Name, Amen.