"Thou Art the Potter..." November 1 Readings: Romans 9-10

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: Romans 9-10

Background:  

Romans 9-10 are among the most controversial in Scripture. They speak of God's sovereign choice of Israel as his people - "Jacob I loved and Esau I hated." The question theologians have struggled with is whether the truth that is taught here about Israel is meant to also be applied to salvation for us as individuals? Does God choose us as he chose Israel?

Volumes have been written on this topic and wars have been fought over it (literally and figuratively) so let me solve with a blurb here. Well...uh...um. We will likely continue to argue this until Jesus returns. The Scripture often teaches two-sided truths that can only be resolved in God's logic and intelligence. How can God be sovereign in our salvation yet humanity's choices matter?  If God chooses us before the creation of the world, why does the Bible teach that we must make genuine choices to believe in Jesus?

If you can explain the Trinity or the Dual Nature of Christ, I will explain how both of those can be true. The key truth here is that HE is the potter and we are the clay. Let's let him work in power and be clay in the Potter's hands. 

Daily Devotional: Thou Art the Potter...

Sometimes, I just need to remember who I am, and who God is. According to Romans 9:21, I am clay. God is the potter. The clay does not determine his own future, his own shape, or his own use. The Potter decides that. He shapes the clay according to his wishes. He molds it into what he wants it to be and then makes use of it according to his desires.

I am the clay. Too often, I try to determine my own shape or give advice and direction to the Potter on what he should do. Make me like this. Make me like that. Sometimes, I even act as if I can shape myself. Can you imagine that? Clay trying to mold itself, shape its own existence? It is ridiculous.

Romans 9 is a difficult passage with lots of heavy truths that theologians argue over and will continue to argue over as long as the Lord tarries. One devotional does not provide an opportunity to weigh in on these deep truths. I'm not even going to try, but I will remind myself and the reader of this conclusion. Be yourself! No, I'm not talking about being who you want to be or think you are or ought to be. Be yourself. You are clay. The only way that clay can become something useful or beautiful is if the master potter shapes it well. God is the potter, the one in charge, the one who shapes the destiny of the world according to his sovereign power.

I might as well rest in his hands and let my life be shaped for his glory. He is the Potter. He knows what I am supposed to be, where I am supposed to go, and what shape my life should take. So, it is best if I just submit to his masterful hand and let my life be shaped by his will, for his glory, and according to his plan.

I'm clay. All I can do by trying to live for myself is make a big mess of my life. If my life is going to take shape and become a masterpiece of God's grace and glory, I must remember daily exactly what I am. Clay. In the hands of the Potter.

That is not a bad thing to be when the Potter is as skilled as our God!

Father, you are the Potter. Shape me. Make me what you want me to be. Help me to remember who I am, who you are, and trust your sovereign hand to shape my life. 

Consider God's Word:

Are you allowing yourself to be shaped by the Potter according to his design, or are you willfully seeking to live by your plans and ambitions?