Reading your Bible for today February 8

February 8: Jeremiah 18:1-6

Key Verse: Jeremiah 18:4
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.

Devotion:
What was the last craft you tried your hand at? Did it turn out exactly as you wanted it the first time? Did you have to try several times to get it right? If you have ever tried your hand at pottery, then you will probably know of all the pitfalls which await you... like your perfect looking pot cracking in the kiln because of the fault you did not see inside it! Imagine how you would feel it your pot went in perfect but still came out a mess. Not because of some hidden fault, but because it just decided to change itself when it was baked!

Each one of us is a work of art which been worked over many times and will continue to be worked over until God thinks we are right to be placed in the kiln. Just like a potter will not be satisfied with placing something in the oven which he knows is not going to survive, God will not place us in situations where He knows we will not survive! He can see right through us. He can see our faults. He can see what will crack. He can see what will fall apart. He knows just how we should be to make the best possible impression when we come out of the oven.

God is not doing this just for fun. He is doing this for a purpose. What good is there in making something if it is not going to be used? I can remember making an ashtray in craft when I was very young and then not wanting it to be used! That is not what God has in mind for us – each one of us is being moulded into something He can use when we have been made ready. When we have been hardened and are ready for use, He will take us and place us in the right situations. If we just sit there and do nothing, then we are not doing what we were designed for. But if we take up the job in hand He wants us to, then He will ensure we continue to do it fruitfully.

Listening to His instructions may be a bit difficult when we don't want to hear them – but God has a way of allowing us to see His instructions as well. So don't just sit and wait for His instructions, look, wait and watch – He will be telling and showing you before long.

Points to Ponder:
How good are you at listening to instructions?

Have you allowed God to mould you?

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