Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

                                         ARE WE THE CLAY OR THE POTTER?

 Isaiah 29: 15-24
“You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”, Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding?” (Isaiah 29:16)
In Isaiah 29:1, we read that Jerusalem is proud, boasting on its spiritual heritage, but at the same time they were living for pleasures of the world without concern for God.  Jerusalem sees itself as a lion, city of David, but the Lord will bring down the lofty self-image Jerusalem has of itself.  They thought they could hide their thoughts and their deeds from the Lord. The people of Jerusalem made the terrible mistake of raising themselves up, and lowering God at the same time.  So, for them, the clay was just as worthy, just as intelligent, just as powerful, as the potter  was!  In Isaiah 29:16, God rebuked Israel because they arrogantly defied Him and acted as though He had not created them.  They acted as though they were in control of their own lives. Isaiah told them, “You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay!  For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me?” Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding?” It is unthinkable that the “clay” should have such an attitude toward the Potter. But we do exactly that today. We boast as Christians and appear to be spiritual claiming to be part of the kingdom of God.  We try to cut a deal with the Lord by saying I want you, Lord. But I want to go my own way and do my own thing.  Just give me your name.  I want to be seen and known as one of yours, your bride. We don’t want to have intimacy with you or to be dependent on you.  To many “God” is the clay and “we” are the potters. We desire to mold God into whatever shape “we” desire.

 In Isaiah 64:8, Isaiah presents God as the Potter who naturally cares about that which He has created. “But now, O Lord, you are our Father;   we are the clay, and you are our potter;  we are all the work of your hand.”  So, God is our creator and we are His creation.  He does not want to discard his creation, but often He has to break our worldly vessels and make us all over again.  The potter has absolute control over the clay; the clay will yield to the potters every demand, because the clay is lifeless and helpless in His hands.  No clay can stop the potter, nor can it question his right.  No clay can resist his will, nor alter his plans. The clay cannot speak back to the potter. 
 
Prayer: Lord, we are the clay and you are the potter, so break us and mold us the way you desire.
 
George Babu, Long Island Mar Thoma Church, NY
 
 

 

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more