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A Prayer for Wrestling with the Sovereignty of God

     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

      Dear heavenly Father, this morning I’ve been reflecting on the mystery and mercy of your sovereignty, especially as I consider everything you did to redeem idolaters and rebels like me.

     Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t an accident, afterthought, plan B, or the redeeming of a good story gone kaput. It was your plan, made before the foundation of the world and executed in the fullness of time. The comfort and peace I enjoy from this supreme demonstration of your sovereignty is incomparable and immeasurable.

     But Father, as I much as I celebrate and find comfort in the demonstration of your sovereignty in saving sinners, why do I struggle with it in any other part of my life? I relate to Paul’s metaphor in this text. There are times I do want to reverse roles with you, and make me the potter and treat you like pliable clay. With regard to certain stories and broken people, I do fancy myself to be the 4th member of the Trinity, rather than abandoning myself to you—my sovereign Father.

     Indeed, I don’t have any problem with you setting up and sitting down presidents, premiers and potentates. But when it comes to things that are limiting, inconvenient or a contradiction of my sensibilities, I am quite capable of questioning your goodness or faithfulness. Free me from such foolishness. You’re always at work, for your glory and our good.

     Father, give me renewed joy in simply being gospel-pottery in your hands. You’ve placed the incredible treasure of Jesus in my fragile jar of clay to prove your all-surpassing power in making all things new. You are the Potter who is redeeming a pan-national family to inhabit the new heaven and new earth, one Day. Let me be humble, grateful and content with my place in that story. You really do do all things well. So very Amen, I pray, in Jesus’ most glorious and grace-full name.

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