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?’ ” 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? Romans 9:20-21
Graciousheavenly Father, it’s during the season of Lent that I am most profoundly grateful for your sovereignty-for your handing Jesus over to wicked men, who put him to death by nailing him to the cross… all according to your set purpose and foreknowledge (Acts 2:23-24). I praise you that Jesus’ death for us on the cross was no accident, afterthought, plan B, or the redeeming of a good story gone kaput. The comfort and peace I enjoy from this supreme demonstration of your sovereignty is absolutely immeasurable, incomparable and irrepressible.
Lord Jesus, no one could’ve put you on the cross apart from your will, and though your own disciples tried, no one could have kept you from the cross apart from your will. Sadly, because of the necessary price, but gladly, because of the forthcoming joy… you endured the cross for us-scorning its shame and exhausting our guilt (Hebrews 12:1-3). A thrice-fold Hallelujah I shout!
So Father, as I celebrate your supreme sovereignty in the cross, why in the world am I such a knuckle-head to struggle with it anywhere else? Why do I want to reverse rolls and make me the potter and you the clay? Why do Iprefer at times to have a Play-Doh or Gumby God, instead of a sovereign Father?
I’ve got no problem with you being sovereign when it comes to overthrowing evil dictators, or busting up drug and trafficking rings, or even giving me good weather for my vacation. But when it comes to you decreeing things that seem unacceptable, unsavory, limiting or a violation of my will… I really don’t need to finish that sentence. My own words expose and mock my foolishness.
Dear Father, my Lenten cry is simply this, make me outlandishly glad to be gospel-pottery. You’ve placed the incredible treasure of Jesus in this jar of clay to prove your all-surpassing power in making all things new. You are the Potter who is redeeming a pan-national trans-generational family to inhabit a new heaven and new earth made from the fallen, broken stuff of this world. I’ve got no problem with that AT ALL! So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ most glorious and sovereign name.