Sep
03
2010
A Prayer About Gospel Pottery
Who are you, O man, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’ “Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? Romans 9:20-21
Gracious Father, this morning I’m pondering the mystery and mercy of your sovereignty… especially as I consider everything you did to redeem rebels and idolaters like me. The cross was no accident. It was you who handed over Jesus to wicked men, who put him to death by nailing him to the cross… all according to your set purpose and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23-24).
Indeed, Jesus’ death for us on the cross was no accident… afterthought… plan B, or the redeeming of a good story gone kaput. The comfort and peace I enjoy from this supreme demonstration of your sovereignty is incomparable and immeasurable.
Lord Jesus, no one could’ve put you on the cross apart from your will… and though your own disciples tried, no one could have kept you from the cross apart from your will. Because of the forthcoming joy, you endured the cross for us—scorning its shame and exhausting our guilt (Hebrews 12:1-3). We praise you for your incomparable gift.
So Father… as I much as I celebrate and find comfort in the supreme sovereignty of Jesus’ cross, why am I such a knuckle-head to struggle with it anywhere else? Why do I want to reverse rolls and make me the potter and treat you like malleable clay? Why do I prefer at times to have a Play-Doh or Gumby God, instead of a sovereign Father?
I don’t have any problem with you setting up and sitting down presidents, premiers and potentates. But when it comes to things that are limiting, inconvenient or a contradiction of how I would do things if I was a God of love with all power available to me… I really don’t need to finish that sentence. My words expose my unbelief and mock my foolishness.
Father, my early September cry is simply this… give me joy in being gospel-pottery. You’ve placed the incredible treasure of Jesus in this jar of clay to prove your all-surpassing power in making all things new. You are the Potter who is redeeming a pan-national family to inhabit the new heaven and new earth. Let me be humble, grateful and content with my place in that story. You really do do all things well. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ most glorious and sovereign name.