Who do you think you are to talk back to God like that? Can an object that was made say to its maker, “Why did you make me like this?” A potter has the right to do whatever he wants with his clay. He can make something for a special occasion or something for everyday use from the same lump of clay. If God wants to demonstrate his anger and reveal his power, he can do it. But can’t he be extremely patient with people who are objects of his anger because they are headed for destruction? Can’t God also reveal the riches of his glory to people who are objects of his mercy and who he had already prepared for glory? This is what God did for us whom he called—whether we are Jews or not.
Romans 9:20-24 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
I'll be honest with you - I have messed up more times in my lifetime than what I believe to be the "maximum amount allowed by law..." I know that I am only alive today because of the mercy and grace of my Father God. I certainly put myself in enough situations that if I think about them now, I can only humbly ask God's forgiveness and boldly acknowledge His loving intervention in not letting me die in my sin. There were many times that I SO deserved whatever came my way as a result of my actions, that I didn't even begin to think, let alone ask, "Why me?" I knew why...
And then I came crawling back to the Cross...so many perfect song lines run through my head when I think about that time.
...You weren't there the night Jesus found me! You did not feel what I felt when He wrapped His love all around me! You don't know the cost of the oil...you don't know the cost of my grace...
...He picked me up and turned me around and He placed my feet on solid ground...
...If it wasn't for the Lord, where would I be? My life was nothing until He set me free! What a change He made in my life - no more compromising the wrong for the right. He made the difference...
Then some well-meaning but very misguided person told me everything would be great from that point on. My troubles were over... they lied. Do I still have tough times? Yes, sometimes I do, some very tough times. Sometimes, I know why. Sometimes, I don't have a clue. Here's what I DO know. God is with me every step of the way. Christ promised never to leave me or forsake me. I'm not alone in the tough times. He is the potter and to borrow a line from Barbara Johnson, God uses cracked pots...
Scripture tells us in 1st Corinthians 3 that some plant, some water, but God gives the increase. God pours into my spirit and because I am broken before Him, what He pours into me, can pour out to those around me, and He will give the increase.
Prayer:
Father,
I would much rather be able to pour out for others what You have given me, than to hoard and hold it all for myself. Lord, we bless You and acknowledge You in all our ways. Direct our paths where we will provide the best for Your glory. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
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