SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading Isaiah 45.

Scripture

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his maker–an earthenware vessel among the vessels of the earth! Will the clay say to the potter, “What are you doing?” or the thing you are making say, “He has no hands?” –Isaiah 45:9

Observation

God is our maker. He has every right to form us and make us just as He desires. The pot has no right to question the Potter’s work, design or plan. Often, the Potter has a purpose the pot simply doesn’t grasp.

Interesting: On a simple anecdotal note: I’ve noticed that people who are really into “modern art” and like to paint or sculpt weird designs often judge God for what He does. Evidently, they feel they have the right to do whatever they want with their “pots,” but the Almighty Potter doesn’t.

Application

Work with the Potter. Allow Him to form my life without complaining. Be “soft clay”–not hard and dried-out clay–in the hands of God.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the way Your skilled and loving hands have formed my life. Might I always be clay easily molded by the Potter’s hand so that You can use me in whatever way You desire.

Amen.