“Woe to him who strives with him who formed
him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it,
‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? Woe to him who
says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’ or to a woman, ‘With what
are you in labor?‘” (Isaiah 45:9-10 ESV)
I went into town the other day and was attracted by the sound of a
woman’s voice reverberating off the surrounding buildings. As I came
closer to the point of origin, I found a very smart woman speaking on
her mobile phone. By her tone of voice, I could tell she was not happy
with the other person. She walked this way and then that: back and forth
looking. Not wishing to get a firm rebuke, I passed by and continued on
my errand.
On my way back from this chore, I was surprised to find the same
person still talking on the telephone. This time her voice was almost
into the supersonic sound range as her frustration discharged into the
street. To me she sounded reminiscent of a gaggle of tropical fruit bats
chattering away as they fight over their food. Reflecting on personal
experience, I thought it best to leave well alone because she seemed not
to be dismayed, just emotionally aggressive. I presume someone was in
for trouble when they finally met up. I hoped for his sake, it was not a
first date!
Anyway, as I wandered off and I realized that this had to be
written down.
No amount of remonstrating was going to make any difference. I
believe she needed to be still, listen to an understanding voice and
clear directions.
Lately, I have allowed the inner little boy to get the better of
me, in my talk with God. I have remonstrated with God about my personal
circumstances. I have been presumptuous and proud, like the clay telling
the potter how it wants to be formed. Now I have confessed my error and
so I have been forgiven. What a joy it is to find my way into His
presence! Jesus said: “follow me“.
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny
himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23 ESV)
PRAYER: LORD, please quieten our hearts and minds, enable us to
let you have your way in our lives, and guide our path today, in Jesus’
name. Amen.
By Rod Marshall
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.