It is always fascinating to watch a potter working with a lump of clay. The potter spends much time carefully molding the clay into something beautiful. But if something goes wrong, the potter crushes his creation and starts over, making it into something else. The Lord brought Jeremiah to the potter's house so he could learn the lesson of the potter. Israel was the lump of clay, and the Lord was the potter. As the potter with clay, the Lord can do whatever he wants with his creation. He can build up or plant if he wills. He can also uproot and destroy at his will. Although Jeremiah warned the Lord's people of this, they were determined that they would not humble themselves before him. So, the Lord would crush them.

Sometimes the word of the Lord does not bring us comfort. Sometimes it goes against our own plans and desires. Jeremiah prophesied the true word of the Lord, but others didn't like it, so they sought to persecute him. In truth these people wanted to be their own gods. They didn't want to submit to the Lord. Jeremiah prayed to the Lord, putting his trust in his protection.


Application: Father, we are like clay, and you the potter. You are the sovereign Lord who molds us to your will. Help us repent and come to you that you may build us up.
One Word: We are in the Lord's hands