Devotional Thoughts for Today

“O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!” Jeremiah 18:6 I would watch my children play with clay. The clay would get stretched, pulled, and dirtied. In other words, the clay would get abused, and eventually the poor clay would be thrown away because it cannot be used anymore. Clay in the hands of a child becomes a toy to be used and discarded; clay in the hands of a potter is similar yet very different in a profound way. This clay is also stretched and pulled, yet it is being stretched and pulled not to be discarded but to become something that is valued, useful, and beautiful. The greater the potter, greater the value of what the clay becomes.  A Ming Dynasty vase can cost over $10 million dollars today. You, in the hands of the Master, are worth infinitely more. Yet it is not easy to stay in the hands of the Master. Therefore, let’s cast off the things that make us move away from the Potter’s hand. I have learned that staying in the hands of God is not about being silent and just waiting; it is hard spiritual work. There are many different ways we knowingly and unknowingly move away from the hands of the Potter. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine His light on anything that makes us move away from the Potter’s hand. It might be worldly philosophies, wrong mindsets and belief system, lies, a temptation you are facing during this season, or it might be simple as a complaining spirit. As the Holy Spirit shines His light into your heart, turn away and renounce those things that hinder you from drawing close to God. And spend the rest of the day submitting yourself to the Lord. The world tempts us with comfort and riches, but God wants to do much more for you—a life that is much more worthwhile. But to do this work, He is looking for clay that is compliant and moldable—clay that trusts and is completely yielded to Jesus. Prayer:  You know my going in and my going out. You know my innermost thoughts. Sovereign Lord, You have the best plan for my life. I submit to your agenda and for you to shape me into the person You want me to be, for I am clay in Your hands. Bible Reading for Today: Ezekiel 20

Lunch Break Study

Psalm 139:1-8 ¹ You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. ² You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. ³ You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. ⁴ Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. ⁵ You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. ⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. David mentions several areas of his personal life that God has “searched and known.” List many as you can where God has searched and known your life. Then meditate on how God knows about your life.

 Evening Reflection

We began the day reflecting on God’s sovereignty. Did you experience that today?  Share your story.