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Accusing the Potter

Words of Faith Final

Accusing the Potter
Words of Faith 10-8-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 9
    [19] One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" [20] But 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?' " [21] 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?

      There is this question that arises about the fairness of God. If God is sovereign, how can man be to blame for anything? If God's will is sovereign, who could resist that will? But such questioning, while it may seem logical, is, in another sense, the height of impudence. The question comes back: How can that which is formed say to him who formed it-- Why did you make me this way?  
     The question reminds us of the great rebuke found in the book of Job. Job was reminded by God of his place. "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?" (Job 38:3‑5)
     The scathing interrogation of Job by the Lord God continued for two agonizing chapters.  Finally, the Lord said to Job: "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!" Then Job answered the Lord: "I am unworthy‑‑how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer-- twice, but I will say no more (Job 40:1‑5)."
     We often get hung up on our "rights." We think that we have certain rights-- the right to understand or the right to self-determination. We think that we have the right to determine our place of service or the scope of our influence. But Paul asks rightly, "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?"  
     The truth is that the potter reaches into the same batch of clay and makes one vessel for glazed beauty and another to be a rough container for common daily use. But who is the pot to question the potter regarding that use? It is His wisdom.  
     Have you been questioning the potter? Accusing the creator? Pressing the One who formed the heavens and the earth?

        Lord, I don't understand the mysteries of life, the balance of Your sovereignty, and my choices. But I also confess that I am unworthy. How can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer. Twice, but I will say no more except to say I love you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2021 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.