Direction – Jeremiah 18:1-6

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying, “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.” Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

At what point in a civilization does God say, “The vessel I was making was spoiled in my hands. I will remake it into another vessel, as it pleases me?”  I confess, it is hard for me to think on this scale. More often than not, I’m just living my life one day at a time, trying to be present to God and to others. What is it though that my presence conveys? Does my life convey; Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die? Or, stop, drop and roll because we are on fire? Repent and perhaps the ship will not hit the iceberg, after all? No doubt you can find a TV preacher right now, damping his brow, teaching these or any number of other possible certainties about God’s plans. I think I must be damaged goods because I cannot bear to watch. 

While I feel as though America is working overtime to qualify as problematic clay, I don’t know God’s plans for her. Perhaps he still sees her beauty as something yet to emerge from his hands. Rather than give up, agreeing with fatalistic notions about ourselves and this nation, I am inclined to take the approach Abraham took with God regarding Sodom, “Lord, will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” The presumption of Abraham is stunning!

Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly

Abraham practically scolds God while acknowledging his clay nature (although I am but dust and ashes). He then proceeds to negotiate for the salvation of a city – one just begging for fire and brimstone. This should be our strategy as well as children who are welcome in his throne room. If you have trouble picturing this, envision (or look up) the picture of John Kennedy’s children running loose in the Oval Office. 

I love it when I see my children at ease with me, resting confidently in my love for them. I’m certain God is like this. He wants us to ask big things of him – things on scale with his dreams for the world; “God I was worthy of judgement and you saved me. Do this for my nation as well! Far be it from you Lord to slay the righteous with the wicked.” Abraham didn’t know he would get God down to 10 righteous men from 50. And, we don’t know that God will not relent and pour out his Spirit on this nation. Perhaps we have not because we ask not. We will not ask because we are the great United States of America. We will ask because, where our sin is increasing, his grace may abound all the more. We can bring ourselves to remembrance that our God is a good God, who desires, more than we, to seek and to save that which is lost.

Excuse me while I damp my brow but God has said he desires that none should perish! He has said that all things are possible with him! He draws camels through the eyes of needles! He tells us we may have what we ask of him – that he will give us the desire of our hearts. How do we possibly get off concluding that the judgement on our nation is a forgone conclusion?! Is it not time to beseech God to complete the good work that he has begun in America rather than scrap her? Why not ask God to heal the very deepest roots of our nation. Who knows, perhaps he would just like to keep this clay on the wheel.

I believe God wants us to simply be devoted to Jesus and each other until he comes and he will take care of the nation judging. We do not have to worry about much more than a sparrow or a lillie. Rueben P. Job, who is credited by Jim Branch as the original inspiration of the Blue Book had three simple rules: 1) Do no harm. 2) Do good. 3) Stay in love with God. This is a great battle plan. May it go viral.

Father, may our ears be tuned in. May our hearts be tuned up – that we may be responsive to this world by your love. May an accumulation of the accomplished deeds which you prepared for us, take on a life of their own and sweep over our nation as a great wave of righteousness. Teach us to be childlike in our presumption about your goodness. May we be as children. As it please you Lord. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

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