Arkansas State press. [volume] (Little Rock, Ark.) 1941-1959, 1945-05-18

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Of others. whether they be personal
or national. Judah. the southern
part of the divided kingdom, saw the
downward path of Israel and its ul-
innate captivity. The same process
went on in Judah, although hindered
now and then by good kings who
brought about a partial return to
God.
Ultimately the day came when
Jerusalem was destroyed by
Nebuchadnezzar's troops and the
people carried of to their long years
of captivity in Babylon.
jeremiah ministered as Gods
prophet during Judah's declining
years, bringing them Gods word of
judgment for their sins and urging
them to submit. His voice was un-
needed and for his faithfulness he
received only their hatred and per-
secution. God gave him the strength
and grace to be true in very diff.
cult mission.
Our lesson for today tells how God
in a graphic object lesson taught the
prophet and the people that they
we're in the hands of a sympathetic
but at the same time a sovereign
God.
l. The Potter aa His Work wv.
Ia.
The maker Of pottery took the
lump of clay, placed il ON his wheel,
and with his hand formed it into
the kind of vessel he Wanted If it
became misshapen or Showed de-
feet, he could moistenA and remold
the clay into another Vessel as it
suited him. The clay Twas in his
hand to meet his purpdte and his
will.
DR.. G. Campbell Morgtn fittingly
suggests that there are thtee things
to be borne in mind herd. a prin-
ciple, a purpose, and perApn. And
as we apply the truth to ourfelves as
Gods children, we spell s.he Per-
son Of the Potter with caAtal "P."
for He is none other than Cpd Him.
self.
The principle is that God lis abso-
lutely sovereign, that He dog as He
wills for His own glory. pntil we
recognize that principle, iii E will be
failure. If. however. Yave dis
covered this principle aHne, then
my soul will be filed with terror. I
must also see the PURPOSE"
The purpose is the WORRYING out Of
His will for each of US. HE knows
US, and He has a plan fof our lives.
and Is able to make thaRplan come
to pass If we permit Hin to do SO.
But. as DR.. Morgan says, IF l
know principle and purpose only. I
shall yet tremble and swonder, and
be filled with haunting foreboding."
But as II press through the principle
and beyond the purpose and discov-
er the Person of the Potter. then the
purpose viii fame with light, and
the principle that appears so hard
and severe will become the sweetest
and tenderest thing in my life."
God spoke to jeremiah through the
scene in the potter's house. and He
also wants to talk to our hearts.
II. God and judah wv. $40. lisa,
l7a).
The lesson Is plain. God had for
His people high and glorious pur-
pose. He wanted to bless them and
use them for His glory. But they
were a sinful and rebellious people.
stif-necked and stubborn in their un-
belief, and the vessel Of honor which
God was trying to form was marred
in His hand.
God did not act In anger or In
disregard OF their rights. He was
forced to bring judgment upon them
because Of their own sin. That sin
is stated in verse 15-they had for
gotten God.
One trembles as he applies that
test Of Gods requirement for bless
ing upon nation to our own land.
There is haunting fear that while
there are some who truly worship
God, and a larger number who pro-
fess to worship Him, great host Of
the people Of America have forgot
ten God.
Does our nation remember Him
and seek His counsel and blessing
In its national affairs? Do we in
quire after the ways Of righteous
ness2 Are we eager for spiritual
revival and increasing grace even
within the church?
Judah was to be scattered "as
with an east wind'--and who does
not know that 1t came to pass. Where
are they today?
But even in the midst Of judgment
the Lord speaks OF mercy. The Lord
who will pluck up. break down and
destroy" ". y the people who forget
Him. Is eager and ready ITO build
and to plant the nation when Il
turns to Him.
The sure promise Of Gods future
blessing upon a repentant Israel ant
Judah is written large In the mes
sages of all the prophets.
The same God, eternally sovereign
In His purpose Is our heavenly Fa
Their. The man or woman whose yes
sci Of life has been msrred by sir
and failure need only yield anew Il
the Potter's blessed hand.