But now, O Lord , You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8 NKJV
One of the things that I enjoy watching is the art of a potter with a lump of clay - how he pushes and shapes that meaningless lump into something of great value and beauty.
My wife and I have accumulated some very beautiful and useful pieces over the years that are showcased in our house.
It is interesting: Pottery is the number one most popular find of Archaeologists who study the Ancient World. They have found the remains of potter’s shops that date back to 12000 BC.
I have been able to see some of the ancient pottery and it is breathtaking to think that I was looking at something thousands of years old.
In Ancient times - the day begins early as the potter leaves the house early in the morning with bags in hand to go out into the fields to gather the clay.
Here are 6 Observations from a Potters House that relate to our relationship with God.
1. He Put His Thoughts On You
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
When He looked on you and thought of you, He could not use you as you were. You were lumpy, rocky, stiff-necked, you had hard spots in you. You did not have consistency. So He took you down and:
2. He Put His Eyes on You
He began to look at you without seeing you for what you are, but for what He knows you can be!
Psalm 17:8 Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
Psalm 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
3. He Put His Feet On You
Clay in its natural state was seldom fit for use. Several stages of preparation were usually necessary.
The clay must be softened before it can be fashioned.
The clay was mixed with water and sifted to remove any stones or foreign objects that did not need to be there. There were several settling basins where the sifting took place, each basin with smaller holes than the one before.
This was the process of refining the clay in order to make the very best vessel.
Once refined, the potter would place the clay on a clean floor and begin walking on it, back and forth, over and over until all the air pockets were removed.
Once the right consistency is obtained, He will pick you up off the floor and place you on the potter’s wheel. There He will:
4. He Will Put His Hands On You
While you’re on the wheel, He will begin molding you. This involves applying pressure in certain areas that He needs to change. You may not like these pressures, but understand, He is the one making the vessel, and He knows what is best for you!!
He will form you into the vessel that He desires to make.
Romans 9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
Once His hands have formed you into the beautiful vessel you are still worthless and without function until He puts you in the fire.
There were two ways of doing this: In the old days they would “Sun Dry” the vessels.
However, they had limitations, they could only store dry goods, because liquids would break them down.
They would then "kiln burn" the vessel to harden it even more.
A fine vessel that will harden and hold liquids and maintain its shape had to be exposed to a minimum temperature of 500 degrees.
The beauty of properly fire clay is that it will not breakdown and disintegrate, even if buried for thousands of years. Metal or wood would have long since disappeared.
Fire Time was also very crucial; it had to stay in the fire long enough for the chemical process in the clay to start working.
Once removed from the fire the vessel must be scoured and scrubbed to remove any lingering signs of air bubbles that surfaced in the fire. The nicks and bumps had to be smoothed out.
Once the smoothing process has been accomplished, you are now ready to be painted, glazed. These words and synonymous with the word anointed.
A vessel that has not been glazed could only be used once, because of bacteria and fungi being able to hide in its pours. However, when a glazed vessel is washed with soap and water you can use it over and over again, because the bugs have no place to hide.
5. He Will Put His Anointing On You
This is the painting and glazing of the vessel. This is what makes the vessel attractive
6. Finally He Will Put His Name On You
Every good artist puts his name on his work.
I have some beautiful pottery that sits on my desk. If you lift it up you will notice the name of the artist who created it.
Rev. 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
The quality must go in, before the name goes on.
In the process of the clay our Master has made some beautiful vessels. Taking the time to think about us, look upon us, sift us, walk on us, knead us, place His hand upon us, lead us through the fire, glaze us with His anointing, and finally place His Name on us.
What wonderful vessels have been made for the glory of God!
On the other hand there are stubborn vessels that won’t accept the hand of the potter, and the pressure applied by Him. The potter will keep working with these vessels and eventually will discard them in the potters field because they are not shapable or moldable for the use the potter desires for them.
I pray that today you would allow your lump of clay to become moldable and pliable for God's hands to shape you for your call and destiny. If you have rebellion in your heart - I pray that God would soften you and that you would be shaped into the man or woman God has intended for you to be.
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