June 4th, 2025
God’s Chosen Vessel
Two notable analogies in the Bible include being clay in God’s hands (Jeremiah 18:3-6) and the treasure in jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:5-12).
The Bible also depicts the Lord as a potter, an image worth further consideration. Isa. 64:8, KJV: “O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Jeremiah 18:6: “Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.” This metaphor illustrates how individuals can be used by God for His purposes, akin to containers used for holding substances. In 2 Timothy Chapter 2, the concept of using our human vessel for God’s purposes is explored.
A human vessel refers to someone willing to be used by God for any purpose He deems fit. In Rom. 9:21 and 23, Paul emphasizes that we are vessels of clay designed to contain the glory of God. He is the Potter, and we are the clay; each one of us is made in a particular way for specific purposes.
The term “vessel” appears a total of 202 times in the King James version of the Bible, specifically 46 times as “vessel” and 154 times as “vessels”.
When considering clay pots of wine, several scenarios come to mind.
What happens to a bottle of wine if not stored properly?
It will evaporate some. If the cork is never opened to enjoy its contents, it will lose some essence over time. Similarly, if we do not share the goodness of God—His power and love—we lose a little every day.
It will sour. Without opening the cork to enjoy the contents, the wine turns rancid, bitter, and unusable. Our spiritual walk with God follows similar principles; without Him, our lives turn unpleasant and bitter. Consuming something fermented or rotten results in an instinctive reaction to spit it out. Once soured or embittered, remediation requires cleaning out and recycling.
Jesus sacrificed Himself to cleanse us from sins not just for cleanliness but to fill us with His presence. Holiness and Cleansing: To be a vessel of honor, useful to God, one must cleanse oneself from anything dishonorable or misaligned with His will. 2 Timothy 2:21 states, “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”
What can we do to become a useful vessel for the kingdom of God? POP THE CORK!
Opening the cork of our vessel can lead to four outcomes.
First, the vessel can be cleaned.
Secondly, the bottle can be refilled. God can replenish our spirits daily if we allow Him to. However, one cannot refill a closed bottle or an unopened cork. Receiving God’s Filling!
Thridly, and the best of the outcomes, is to pour out God’s power, love and spirit to others! To “pour out” effectively, one must first be filled with God’s Spirit, which means consciously inviting God’s presence to occupy one’s entire being. The ultimate goal of God’s filling us is not merely to make us better individuals but to transform us into vessels capable of expressing His glory.
The Fourth senerio and the scariest, is the Devil might attempt to empty the contents. Destruction occurs if permitted. The devil seeks to demolish and destroy everything God has filled you with so you cannot be used for His Glory! That is why it is so important to protect yourself with the amor of God everyday!
Popping the cork in God’s name results in: Power, Joy, Victory, and the ability to share the Holy Spirit’s power with others.
Pouring out the content of your vessel for God involves allowing God’s power and presence to flow through you to accomplish His purposes. The “content” poured out includes the Holy Spirit, God’s grace, power, and the Gospel message. It represents God’s life-giving presence working within and through us. Pouring Out signifies actively letting God’s presence influence and affect the world around us. This process depends on God’s power shining through human weaknesses rather than relying on personal strength.
The Master’s Vessel (author unknown)
The Master sought a vessel to use; among many options, which would He choose? “Take me,” cried the gold vessel, “I’m shiny, bright, valuable, and perfect for You.” The Master passed by without comment, considering a silver urn, “I’ll serve You, dear Master, gracefully pouring Your drink whenever needed.” The Master moved past a brass vessel, wide-mouthed and polished like glass, “Place me on Your table for all men to view.” A crystal goblet called out next, “My transparency reveals my precious contents; though fragile, I will serve You proudly.” The Master then noticed a wooden bowl, polished and solid, “Use me, dear Master, preferably for fruit, not bread.” Finally, the Master found a vessel of clay, empty and broken. It hoped against hope the Master might choose it to cleanse and use. “Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been searching for; I shall mend, use, and make it Mine.” The Master did not seek a proud or narrow vessel nor one loud or overly display it. He chose the plain earthy vessel filled with His power and might.
Gently lifting the clay vessel, He mended and cleansed it, speaking kindly, “Pour out to others as I pour into you.”
What kind of vessel are you? Are you shiny and boastful? Do you try to tell God what your vessel should and shouldn’t be used for? Or are you humble, aware of your flaws and weaknesses, but still willing to be used?
Do not let the devil convince you that your role is unimportant due to its lack of visibility; every part is crucial in God’s house!
The beauty of being a vessel of God lies in His capability. When we allow Him to fill us, we become instruments to address the world’s needs. No matter how small our offerings seem, trusting in God transforms them beyond measure.
You cannot truly experience God’s power until He uses you. With Him, you are powerful; without Him, you are powerless. SO pop the cork!
God Bless! Have a great week! Pour out your blessings to others in GOD’s name!
