The Shaping Hands of God

Summer Day 4

“Yet you, Lord, are our father. We are the clay, you are the potter, we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

 

The Shaping Hands of God

Sweet mamas, what comes to your mind when you hear the story of the potter and the clay? This parable reminds me that God is intimately at work in every one of our lives. Throughout our lifetime, the trials, storms, and miracles are all used by God to shape and mold the deepest parts of His children’s souls and minds.

This shaping process can feel overwhelming, especially when there are many areas in which we fall short or constantly think we need to overcome or improve. Sometimes, this state of our hearts can feel paralyzing, and we find ourselves feeling like a hopeless case.

If this is you, my friend, listen to the Father and allow Him to remind you of the truth from His Word. These two verses bring comfort to my soul when I feel overwhelmed by a constant need to improve:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

You see, friends, the Father is telling us we can come to Him and learn from Him! We can ask for more of His peace or guidance, and it will be freely given. We don’t have to stress about falling short and thinking it is all up to us to improve ourselves. Doesn’t that just bring joy to your heart?

As you meditate on these Scriptures, allow the overwhelming feelings of doubt, fear, and insecurity to fade away. Remember, He is the Potter, and you are the clay.

Go Deeper:

Pray and ask Jesus to continue to mold you and shape you until you look like Him.

During your time with the Lord, write down what the potter and the clay mean to you. Ask the Lord what the most important thing is for you to work on now that will help you look a little more like Him.

What’s Next?

Develop a daily habit of reading scripture. The Word of God is active and alive! Mediate on the very words of God. Allow these precious Scriptures given by the Holy Spirit and the Almighty God to encourage you as you live your life in trust. His Word will comfort you when you feel burdened.

Allow your Father to mold you as you rest in the Potter’s hands, but stop trying to be perfect. Relax in the love of God. He is the one who brings about lasting change. 

Here’s an idea for your children: Give your kids some play-dough to mold and shape into whatever their hearts desire. As they are creating, use this time to read the Scriptures and talk to them about the potter and the clay.

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Meagan Witt
Latest posts by Meagan Witt (see all)

20 Comments on “The Shaping Hands of God”

  1. Thank you Meagan for this wonderful reminder of the blessed invitation to rest in the Lord. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. He invites us to cast all our burdens upon Him because He cares for us! He made us and He cares for us. Good scripture to meditate on and teach to our children.

  2. Awesome, Meg! I read this while on the elliptical… gives a new meaning to RESTing in him. 😉 Your words here are oh so important. It sounds so simple and so easy; that’s exactly what it is too. Our Lord wants to comfort us in our daily walk. He knows life is hard, as He created us to walk and talk with Him. We were designed to hear His voice and sit as His feet. That is the ONE thing that is needed. Thank you for your this blog post. I will be meditating on these Matthew scriptures today. I am so proud of the godly woman you have become. Great things are headed your way; you are right where God wants you! Peace to you. xo, Aunt kj

  3. Titus 3:5 talks about the “washing of regeneration,” which I’d the idea that the Holy Spirit cleanses us. Sometimes I forget that the Holy Spirit can soften my hard parts, just like water softens hard clay. Thanks, Meagan!

  4. Meagan, this is so good and I just love the visual of the potter and clay! It really speaks to me! Thank you for sharing your heart!

  5. What an encouraging study! Thank you! I love that we can rest in God and trust him to change us no matter how much of a mess we see we are.

  6. Meagan, how beautiful…I really need this reminder right now. Lately I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed, and I know I need to slow down and relax in the love of God like you wrote. Yes, He’s the one who brings lasting change. Thanks for this encouraging Bible study!

  7. Oh Meagan, This is so encouraging! We all deeply desire to have it all together and be perfect when all we really need to remember is that God is shaping us and we are a work in progress! It’s so important to simply rest in the gentle hands of God.

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