Getting Back into the Will of God
George Stiekes
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:17
Many Christians have remained frustrated and defeated in their Christian life simply because they believed, having failed God miserably, they could not get back into His will.
Jeremiah was instructed to go to the potter’s house where he was to learn a valuable lesson. He noticed on the potter’s wheel a marred vessel (Jeremiah 18:4). Instead of throwing it away the potter would put it back on the wheel to remold it into another vessel.
Isaiah compares God’s people to clay. But now, O Lord, thou art our father: we are the clay, and thou our potter: and we all are the work of Thy hand (Isaiah 64:8). The potter represents one who has absolute authority over the clay, but with regard to the sinner who has failed, even failed miserably, the clay must be pliable and submissive. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel (Jeremiah 18:6). If this does not take place, then the clay becomes hardened and it cannot be made again (Jeremiah 19:1-13). It is a very dangerous thing for a Christian to harden his heart against God’s will. He leaves God with only one alternative – to break the clay, which He did with His people when He allowed the nation to be taken captive by Babylon.
Just as the potter took the marred vessel and made it again, He can take our lives and mold them again. We should never think to ourselves that there is no hope. There are so many examples in the Word of God of those who failed God and were given another chance. Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Samson, David, Jonah, John Mark, Peter, the prodigal son and so many others.
Just like God’s people in days of old, there is a right way to approach God when seeking His help:
- An attitude of humility (Isaiah 63:15a) – Isaiah recognized God’s lofty position, far above His people.
- An attitude of confession: Isaiah freely admitted that the nation had wandered from God (Isaiah 63:16-17).
- An attitude of dependence: Isaiah did not act like God owed him anything. If he and the people of Israel were going to know God’s blessing again, God had to give them that blessing. Furthermore, Isaiah acknowledged God’s sovereign control in remarkable ways (Isaiah 63:17a and Isaiah 64:8).
David’s repentance before God is a good example of these three attitudes in Psalm 51.
Just as it seemed good to the potter, God considers it good when His children return to Him and willingly surrender unconditionally to the Master Potter. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). His invitation is always COME so that He can meet our needs (Isaiah 1:18; 55:1-3; Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:16; Revelation 22:17). His grace is always greater than our sin (Romans 5:20, 21).
George Stiekes held successful pastorates in churches in Michigan and Washington among other places. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.