January 3 — In the Potter’s Hands

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8 

Being only clay in Your hands, O Lord — as I must not, so I would not, by any means, oppose Your operations. This is my desire, that You would prepare and perfect me for a fit vessel of grace, in spite of a thousand hindrances. No work of Yours ever comes short of its intended perfection; for who can stay Your hand? It is Your own saying, “I work — and who will reverse it?” (Isaiah 43:13). 

An artist delights in his own workmanship, and would not designedly leave in it a single flaw or defect (Philippians 1:6). Look upon me, wise Creator. See how flesh and blood disorder my poor soul and deliver me from all that may endanger my spiritual life.

Knowing that You can do no less than a human artist, who is ever ready and exerts his skill to mend and perfect his work — I trust that You will not always allow these impediments to hinder and disgrace Your work. Nay, such are Your wisdom and power, that out of darkness — You can bring light; out of sickness — You can bring health. And though I am now destitute of strength and life — yet I believe Your work will be finished at last, and glorify the name of its Maker (1 Peter 5:10). Lord, carry it on by Your Spirit’s might and daily conform me more and more to Your image.

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)