October 29, 2006 - Jeremiah 18-19 and II Timothy 3
We can learn a lot from these two passages as we take the parable of the potter and the clay and apply it to our lives. That is the great thing about parables. They are so rich in meaning, and they stay with us for a long time.
It is easy for us to imagine God calling Jeremiah to go to the potter's house and to see him watching the potter spin the wheel with the soft clay on it. It is a vivid picture of starting over. The vessel the potter is making is flawed in some way, so he takes the soft clay and starts over. God's word to Jeremiah and to us is that God can decide to start over if there is a need to do so. (v.7-10) Sometimes, He needs to bless us because we turn from sin, so He starts over. Sometimes, He needs to punish us, because we turn to sin, so He starts over. The key is that the clay is soft in this parable. However, once we harden our hearts and rebel against Him, the picture is different. When, we say no to God, and we tell Him we will do what we want to do, our hearts get hard. (v.12) It is no longer a pretty picture, but a sad one. Therefore, in chapter 8 God tells Jeremiah to get a hard piece of a ceramic pot and to take it to the trash heap. There he breaks that piece and throws it away.(v.10-11) That is what God has to do sometimes, when our hearts are hardened to Him. Where do you find yourself today? Are you soft clay in the hands of the Lord? If so, let Him mold you into His image. Are you hard clay that can't change? Then, repent and ask God to make you soft again. He is the only one who can do that.
In II Timothy 3 we read about these two categories. First, he lists the characteristics of those who have rebelled against God and are hardened in their sins. Then, he tells us about Timothy's heart, which was soft and pliable in God's hands. What a difference! I know you can see this contrast in people around you each day. What makes the difference? A large part of the difference is listening to the Word of God which is able to make us wise for salvation through Jesus and to lead us to maturity in Him. (v.15-17) That is why it is so important to have an "unhurried time" with the Lord each day. It keeps your heart soft. It shows you the needs so you can turn to the Lord quickly. I hope all of us will realize this lesson once and for all.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 20-21 and II Timothy 4.
It is easy for us to imagine God calling Jeremiah to go to the potter's house and to see him watching the potter spin the wheel with the soft clay on it. It is a vivid picture of starting over. The vessel the potter is making is flawed in some way, so he takes the soft clay and starts over. God's word to Jeremiah and to us is that God can decide to start over if there is a need to do so. (v.7-10) Sometimes, He needs to bless us because we turn from sin, so He starts over. Sometimes, He needs to punish us, because we turn to sin, so He starts over. The key is that the clay is soft in this parable. However, once we harden our hearts and rebel against Him, the picture is different. When, we say no to God, and we tell Him we will do what we want to do, our hearts get hard. (v.12) It is no longer a pretty picture, but a sad one. Therefore, in chapter 8 God tells Jeremiah to get a hard piece of a ceramic pot and to take it to the trash heap. There he breaks that piece and throws it away.(v.10-11) That is what God has to do sometimes, when our hearts are hardened to Him. Where do you find yourself today? Are you soft clay in the hands of the Lord? If so, let Him mold you into His image. Are you hard clay that can't change? Then, repent and ask God to make you soft again. He is the only one who can do that.
In II Timothy 3 we read about these two categories. First, he lists the characteristics of those who have rebelled against God and are hardened in their sins. Then, he tells us about Timothy's heart, which was soft and pliable in God's hands. What a difference! I know you can see this contrast in people around you each day. What makes the difference? A large part of the difference is listening to the Word of God which is able to make us wise for salvation through Jesus and to lead us to maturity in Him. (v.15-17) That is why it is so important to have an "unhurried time" with the Lord each day. It keeps your heart soft. It shows you the needs so you can turn to the Lord quickly. I hope all of us will realize this lesson once and for all.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Jeremiah 20-21 and II Timothy 4.