A word came to the prophet
Jeremiah from the LORD, saying: “Arise and go down to the potter's house,
and there I will cause you to hear My words.” Then he went down to the
potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the
vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he
made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
(Jer. 18:1-4)
The clay would sometimes dry out while the potter was working with it, and become uncooperative and flawed in the potter’s hands while he was crafting and molding his intended vessel. When this happened, he would crush the clay back down into a lump and pour water on it to make it more easily manageable and workable. Then he re-worked it again, and again, until it took on the shape he wanted.
The apostle Paul said that in a very similar manner we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. We are the Father’s intended vessels with a purpose. In the passage where Jeremiah talks about the potter, he said that the children of Israel was like clay in God’s hands, that had dried out. Judgment was about to come upon them as water on dry clay to drive them back to God.
I am reminded of the prodigal son that left his father and went away into a far country to do his own thing without being criticized. He ended up hitting rock bottom and came to his senses as he sat in the hog pen reflecting over how he had destroyed his life. He was so hungry that he thought about eating the food he was feeding the pigs. That’s rock bottom. That’s water being poured on dried out clay to make it pliable again… to make that hardened stony heart into a softened heart of clay. The prodigal son went back to his father with a reformed heart.
Jesus said to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2, that they had left their first love (became dried out). They were encouraged to think back to where they had fallen and arise and begin again. The apostle Paul had once commended that church for their love of God and others, but the church had lost their zeal for God and their motivation was mostly busy work to benefit themselves.
Church, let us not forget that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works. He that has begun a good work in us will complete it until Christ returns. Let us remain on His potter’s wheel so that He may re-form us for His intended purpose. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Let Him finish His good work. When you become weary and discouraged by the process, cry out to the Lord and He will strengthen you. Be encouraged!