Isaiah 64:4 - Waiting as the Potter Molds and Shapes the Clay.
Isaiah 64:4 (NIV) Since ancient times no one
has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen
any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those
who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:4 (NLT) For since the world began,
no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God
like you, who works for those who wait for him!
COMMENTARY PEARL
God's Specialty
I know it is hard to imagine sometimes
what God is up to in your life. You see a blank
canvas, but God sees a finished painting. You see a
piece of coal, but God sees a refined diamond. You
see an untalented person, but God sees a mighty
man or woman of God.
This is also true of those we see in
Scripture. We see an impetuous, impulsive Simon, but
God sees a strong, decisive apostle named Peter.
We see a conniving, manipulative Jacob, but God
sees a godly, trusting man named Israel. We see a
young, naive Joseph, but the Lord sees a brilliant,
wise world leader. And when it was all said and
done, Joseph was able to look back and say to his
brothers, "You meant evil against me; but God meant it
for good" (Genesis 50:20). He recognized that
God used the things that happened to him to mold
him into a compassionate, forgiving leader of
many. He was clay in the Potter's hand. He trusted
in the Lord.
God specializes in making something out
of nothing. I wonder what He is doing with you
right now? You are a work in progress, and He
isn't finished yet. If you are still alive and
reading this, God has more work to do in your life!
Most artists usually don't like someone looking
over their shoulders, trying to second-guess what
they're about to do. "Wait until I am done," they
will say, "and then you will see."
So trust in the Lord during those times
when it is hard to see what He is doing. Don't
allow the hardships you face to make you a bitter
person. It's time to let go of that. Rather, allow
them to make you a better person. [Every Day with
Jesus by Greg Laurie]
INTRODUCTION
The great Master Worker desires to mold and
fashion us. And as the clay is in the hands of the
potter, so are we to be in His hands. We are not to
try to do the work of the potter. Our part is to
yield ourselves to be molded by the Master Worker.
MH472 [Remnant SB]
COMMENTARY
The Potter and the Clay
By now in our Christian walk we hardly
need the reminder that life is not a cloud-nine
utopia. It is a terribly unrealistic view to think
that Christ helps you live happily ever after;
it's downright unbiblical! Most of life is
learning and growing, falling and getting back up,
forgiving and forgetting, accepting and going on.
We know the sovereign Potter is working
with our clay as He pleases. I've watched a few
potters at work. And it's a funny thing. I have seen
them suddenly mash the clay down and start over
again. Each time they do this, the clay comes out
looking entirely different. And with gifted potters,
they can start over and over - and each time it's
better and better.
He is the Potter, we are the clay. He is
the one who gives the commands; we are the ones
who obey. He never has to explain Himself; He
never has to ask permission. He is shaping us over
into the image of His Son, regardless of the pain
and heartache that may require. Those lessons
are learned a little easier when we remember
that we are not in charge, He is.
Daniel Webster was asked,
"What is the greatest thought that can
occupy a man's mind?"
He said, "His accountability to God."
Regardless of the pain and heartache it
may require, God is shaping us into the image of
His Son. [Chuck Swindoll www.insight.org. re
Jer. 18:6]
Thump-Thud, Thump-Thud
When a potter bakes a pot, he checks its
solidity by pulling it out of the oven and thumping
it. If it sings, its ready. If it
thuds, its placed back in the oven.
The character of a person is also checked
by thumping. Been thumped lately?
Late-night phone calls. Grouchy teacher.
Grumpy moms. Burnt meals. Flat tires.
Youve-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Those are thumps. Thumps are
those irritating inconveniences that trigger the
worst in us. They catch us off guard. Flat-footed.
They arent big enough to be crises, but if you
get enough of them, watch out! Traffic jams.
Long lines. Empty mailboxes. Dirty clothes on the
floor. Even as I write this, Im being thumped.
Because of interruptions, it has taken me almost two
hours to write these two paragraphs. Thump. Thump.
Thump.
How do I respond? Do I sing? Or do I thud?
Jesus said that out of the nature of the
heart a man speaks (Luke 6:45). Theres nothing
like a good thump to reveal the nature of a
heart. The true character of a person is seen not
in momentary heroics but in the thump-packed
humdrum of day-to-day living.
If you have a tendency to thud more than
you sing, take heart.
The true character of a person is seen
not in momentary heroics but in the thump-packed
humdrum of day-to day living.
There is hope for us thudders:
1. Begin by thanking God for thumps. I
dont mean a half-hearted thank-you. I mean a
rejoicing, jumping-for-joy thank-you from the bottom of
your heart (James 1:2). Chances are that God is
doing the thumping. And hes doing it for your
own good. So every thump is a reminder that God
is molding you (Heb. 12:5"8).
2. Learn from each thump. Face up to the
fact that you are not thump-proof. You are
going to be tested from now on. You might as well
learn from the thumps"you cant avoid them.
Look upon each inconvenience as an opportunity to
develop patience and persistence. Each thump will
help you or hurt you, depending on how you use
it.
3. Be aware of thump-slump times.
Know your pressure periods. For me Mondays are
infamous for causing thump-slumps. Fridays can be
just as bad. For all of us, there are times
during the week when we can anticipate an unusual
amount of thumping. The best way to handle
thump-slump times? Head on. Bolster yourself with extra
prayer, and dont give up.
Remember, no thump is disastrous. All
thumps work for good if we are loving and obeying
God. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com re Jer. 18:6]
CLOSING THOUGHT
God Acts on Our Behalf
The Lord is a God of action. Even when He
rested on the seventh day of creation, it wasn't
because He was tired and needed to recuperate.
Although He deliberately made a choice to stop His
creative activity, He never ceased working. While the
Lord is always controlling the universe, He is,
at the same time, intimately involved with
individual lives.
God has a plan for each one of us and
wants us to know what it is. Every time we take a
step of obedience, He sheds more light on our
path. But sometimes He asks us to pause awhile,
and we may not know why. We long for direction
in a particular matter, but our prayers just
aren't being answered, and we wonder, Why does He
delay?
When you aren't seeing any answers, it
doesn't mean that God is not working. He's still
actively involved in your life, but He works in ways
that are not always visible He orchestrates
circumstances, changes people's hearts, and protects His
children from making hasty decisions that will have
disastrous consequences. Perhaps the Lord knows you're
not yet ready for the next leg of your spiritual
journey. Waiting times are opportunities for growth
in character, obedience, and faith. He may also
need time to train you for future
responsibilities and ministries.
When you intentionally choose to be
still, God unleashes His mighty power on your
behalf. He has planned good things for those who
wait, and I believe what He has in store for your
life will surpass all expectations. When He knows
you're ready to receive His blessings, they'll flow
into your lap. [In Touch Daily Devotional by
Charles Stanley at www.intouch.org]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Jeremiah 18:6 - God Is The Potter; We Are
The Clay.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050627-1037.html
Psalm 27:14 - Waiting On The Lord.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190915-1300.html
Psalm 37:7 - Be still, wait patiently and
never ever fret!
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040820-0937.html
Lamentations 3:21-26 - Hope in Waiting for
God and His Mercy.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/1998/19981119-1546.html
Hosea 12:6 - What God Expects Of His
Children . updated
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070917-0059.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides:
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
