THE POTTER’S TOUCH

Then the LORD put forth His hand and TOUCHED my mouth. And the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth” – Jeremiah 1:9

Let’s reflect again on Genesis 2:7 – “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” The Hebrew word for “formed” (yatsar) means to form, fashion, or frame. The word for “dust” (aphar) means dry or loose earth, powder, ashes, ground mortar, or rubbish. God as the Creator chose to fashion His design – the human being – out of dry and loose earth and to breathe life into him! This is almost identical to how a potter skilfully forms a piece of earthenware from raw clay.

The potter takes clay from the ground, works with it until it is the proper consistency, and places it in the centre of the potter’s wheel. As the wheel begins to turn, the firm but gentle pressure from the potter’s hands molds the vessel into shape. Water is periodically splashed on the earthenware to maintain the appropriate consistency – too dry makes it rigid and too wet makes it lifeless. It is striking that in both instances of creation, the raw material comes from the same source: the earth.

Now, bring this picture into the scenario of Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I FORMED you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; and I ordained you a prophet to the nations”. God formed, fashioned, and framed Jeremiah for a specific purpose, even while still an embryo, completely unaware of his creation. The capstone of the scenario was the Potter tenderly touching the prophet’s lips: “Then the LORD put forth His hand, and TOUCHED my mouth…” What a holy, sacred, powerful, sensitive, firm, and compassionate touch. Even now, the same divine TOUCH is available to every willing lump of clay. You can experience the Potter’s touch, not only on your lips, but on your entire life and destiny.

Jeremiah’s life is an example of how God had a plan to create and mold a man to serve him as a prophet to the nations. The young boy had no idea that God was developing within him the qualities required to become a Voice to his nation. God, the Master Potter, molds His children in a similar manner. Whatever He touches is supernaturally, positively, and powerfully transformed. By yielding to the Potter’s touch, regardless of the clay’s condition, the lump of sticky, apparently useless mud can become a beautiful, valuable piece of pottery – a vessel…meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work (2Tim.2:21). God had a plan before you came into existence! He is willing to share His plan with you. Today, you can experience the Perfect Potter’s Touch in your life as be transformed from Glory to Glory!