Articles
God’s Good Plan: The Potter and the Clay Romans 9:19–29
When Clay Talks Back
Have you ever tried making pottery? Maybe it was a school art project or a fun date night idea. You sat at the wheel, full of confidence—only to end up with a misshapen lump that looked more like a squashed donut than a vase. Now imagine that clay talking back: “Excuse me! I was supposed to be a coffee mug!” We’d laugh at the thought—because everyone knows the clay doesn’t tell the potter what to do.
Unless… we’re the clay.
In Romans 9:19–29, Paul uses the image of the potter and the clay to challenge our assumptions about God. Why does He allow some to harden their hearts? Why are some saved and others not? Instead of answering with a philosophical argument, Paul reminds us who we are—and who God is.
God Is the Potter—And That’s Good News
God is not just in control—He’s good, patient, and merciful. Paul describes two kinds of vessels: those who resist God and bring destruction on themselves, and those who yield to Him and receive mercy. God’s patience is not permission to rebel—it’s an invitation to repent.
The good news is that God’s mercy is not limited to a specific group. Paul quotes the prophets Hosea and Isaiah to show that God always intended to bring Gentiles into His family—and that even among the Jews, only a faithful remnant would be saved. This was never Plan B. It’s always been God’s good plan.
What Kind of Vessel Are You?
Are you resisting the Potter’s hands, questioning His work in your life? Or are you letting Him shape you, even when it’s uncomfortable or confusing? Romans 2:4 reminds us that God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance.
You don’t have to be perfect clay. You just have to be pliable.
Trust the Hands That Shape You
You may not always understand what God is doing. But the hands that shape you bear the scars of the cross. The One forming you gave His life for you.
So trust the Potter. Let Him mold you into something beautiful, useful, and eternal. Don’t resist His work—receive it. Become a vessel of mercy, prepared for glory.
“But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
—Isaiah 64:8
