IN THE POTTER'S HANDS

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL)

The potter knows how weak we are
The potter knows in mud we mire
The potter shows how life is tough
The potter shows how life is rough
The potter sees we all are broken
The potter sees we all are beholden
The potter breaks our clay of defeat
The potter breaks our clay of retreat
The potter melts our clay of all sin
The potter melts our evil from within
The potter spins His wheel of grace
The potter spins our faith in place
The potter molds us true to stand
The potter molds us true to a plan
The potter bakes clay of the past
The potter bakes clay that will last
The potter fills our clay from above
The potter fills our clay with love
The potter honors His work of hand
The potter honors His master plan

"The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will let you hear my words." So I went down to the potter's house, and there he was working at his wheel. And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter's hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do. (Jeremiah 18:1-4)

We are all but clay in the Master Potters hands, just waiting to be molded into a vessel housing God's free grace, (Ephesians 2:8-9) Christ's sacrificial love, (Romans 5:8) and the Holy Spirits comfort. (John 16:12-15)

Just as in Jeremiah's day, we watch as the Master Potter breaks, melts and molds us into his likeness.(Genesis 1:27) In the Old Testament, Jeremiah presented this picture of the potter and the clay. And in the New Testament we have the voice of Paul reminding us that God is the Potter and we are the clay. (Romans 9:21 )

Much like Jeremiah's image, we sometimes spoil the Masters work by our imperfections. The Master then has need to crumble our life of sin and reshape us into a vessel pleasing to him. (1 John 1:9)

You see, when we find ourselves in the Potter's hands, feeling his pressures, feeling the molding of His fingers, just relax and trust him. Yes, the Master Potter has suffered with us and knows exactly how we feel.(Hebrews 4:15) Remember the Master Potter has a purpose in mind, and the skill and ability to mold us according to His sovereign will. (2 Timothy 2:21)

Do you remember this old chorus? Sing it with me.

Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me,
Mold me, fill me,
Spirit of the living God,
Fall afresh on me.

Amen !