Scripture
Then the Lord gave me this message “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 n my hand.”

Observation
The Lord sends Jeremiah to visit a potter's shop. There he sees a potter working. When the jar does not turn out correctly, the potter crushes it and starts over.

The Lord tells Jeremiah that this is like the Lord who can threaten, uproot or tear down a nation or spare it if it turns from its wicked ways.

Therefore, the Lord will punish Judah because it has refused to renounce its evil ways.

Application
We are like clay in God's hands. He can mould us for his purposes and do what he like with us. If we refuse to conform to His plan for our life then He will start over.

This is true of nations and of individuals.

God is passionate to see us turn to Him and live according to His plan. Yet for many individuals and nations, this is too inconvenient or troubling. We prefer to live our own ways, inviting God to come down and do his worst.

God is not willing for anyone to perish, but this is exactly the fate of those who refuse to live with Him.

Prayer
Father I acknowledge today that you are the potter and I am the clay. I confess that I do not always obey you. Please forgive me and help me to fulfil your purposes in my life. Amen.