Jeremiah 18-22, Psalm 127
Jeremiah 18:6-10 (NLT)
“O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would.”
In Jeremiah 18:6-10, the Lord tells Jeremiah that He is free to respond to His people according to their choices and behavior. Father-God uses the analogy of a potter and clay, but clay cannot choose its actions. Israel chose over and over again to be disobedient to the Lord. But the Lord has the choice to change His mind if His people renounce their evil ways. The Lord can build up a church and nation but also withhold his blessings as He said He would.
These verses remind us that the Lord has ultimate authority over our lives, but we have free will to choose to obey Him or disobey Him. We have to trust in the Lord’s plan and purpose for our lives, and we must be willing to be pliable and shaped by Him. We need to have humility and willingness to let go of our own plans and align our lives to the Lord’s plans. But these verses also tell us that the Lord has mercy for people and wants our restoration rather than our destruction.
I’ve also liked this analogy of Father-God as the potter and myself as the clay, but I’ve also learned over the years, that even though the Lord created me, I still have free will. I can obey or disobey Him. The Lord will always allow me to choose not to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. But my actions have consequences. If I am obedient to the Lord, I will have His blessings. If I disobey Him, the Lord can withhold His blessings.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who allows us free will to choose to love and obey Him—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord’s love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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