The apostle Paul wrote, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

“Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” ISAIAH 64:8

Give a talented sculptor a lump of clay and you unleash exquisite creativity. The artist becomes inspired, dreaming and envisioning what this blob of simple clay can and will become. The potter begins to work with it, passionately forming it and fashioning it with his hands.

Those who happen to be passing by have no clue what the artist has in mind. They may try to guess, but only the potter knows his intentions. Some onlookers may even wonder, What is he doing? He’s ruining it! Why doesn’t he make ___ instead? Of course, the true artist ignores his critics. They’re not privy to his plans.

And if the onlookers are oblivious to what the potter is doing, how much less does the clay understand? If it could feel and speak, it would tell of being squished, squashed, shaped, spun, scraped, and baked in a furnace. If the clay could reason, it would only be able to say it’s being crafted into some kind of vessel for some kind of unknown purpose.

According to the Bible, God is like a potter. And we are like clay in His hands. We don’t know what He has in mind for us. We’re often clueless as to what He’s shaping us into. At any given moment, God’s sculpting of us is painful, confusing, and dizzying. Sometimes it seems impossible that we will ever be useful, much less beautiful. But if we trust the Potter, we can trust that the day is coming when we will look in the mirror and gasp, “Oh my! That is better!”

The apostle Paul wrote, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

It is not our job to question or critique the Potter. It is our job to rest in His hands, knowing He’s not done with us yet.

When do you find it difficult to trust in God’s plan for you?

PRAYER

God, thank You for not giving up on me. Thank You for shaping me into the person You want me to be. Help me to be patient and to trust You when the shaping gets uncomfortable. Amen.

How does the fact of God’s unchanging nature give you confidence and security in a world that is full of changes?

“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.” Malachi 3:6

It seems that nothing in this world is safe from change. Most brands we loved as kids look different today (if they even still exist). Famous hamburger chains now offer salads. Cable companies now offer telephone service.

We grow taller (and then wider). Our hair turns gray (or falls out). Our athletic abilities and mental faculties slip away.

Those six-pack abs morph into a spare tire. We get wrinkles. Our teeth fall out. Even our most treasured relationships change. Best friends get transferred. Our kids grow up and move away.

The fact remains that everything changes—everything except for God. Only God is unchanging. God does not rebrand. He does not evolve.

He does not grow old and fall apart. He does not move away. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

And when everything in our lives is so unstable, it gives us great comfort to know that God won’t change. He is the same today as He was at creation. What security that provides!

How does the fact of God’s unchanging nature give you confidence and security in a world that is full of changes?

Prayer:
God, I praise You that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. Thank You for being my constant security and foundation. Amen.

Calling God by the name “The Name” was a way of honoring God’s holiness (devout Jews considered it blasphemous to refer to him as YHWH).

“The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse; so they brought him to Moses.” Leviticus 24:11

In biblical times, you weren’t given a name just because it sounded interesting or unique. On the contrary, your name spoke of your origin, identity, or destiny. For example, Moses means “drawn from the water” and Samuel means “God has heard.”

What about God’s name? As we’ve seen in these pages, the Bible lists dozens and dozens of divine names and descriptions, each one giving insight into God’s nature. Perhaps the most intriguing of them all is HaShem which means “The Name.”

Calling God by the name “The Name” was a way of honoring God’s holiness (devout Jews considered it blasphemous to refer to him as YHWH).

Calling him “The Name” was also a way of saying “our God needs no introduction.”

It acknowledged the truth that God’s identity and nature are far too lofty and grand to quantify. The name HaShem became generic shorthand for all that God is.

The simple truth is our God is indescribable. He cannot be labeled, certainly not by the limited abilities of humankind.
If asked, how would you describe God to an irreligious friend?

Prayer:
God, thank You for being so immense that You cannot even be named. I don’t fully understand all the aspects of Your character, but please reveal more of Yourself to me. Amen.

No king rules over another. God is the great exception to this magnanimous plan. According to the Bible, He is the King of all kings. He is over all as the supreme leader. He has no equal.

“On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King Of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19:16

Legend has it that King Arthur met with his lords and knights at a round table so they would perceive one another as equals. This concept did not die with ancient times; today’s United Nations has rules in place—and even seating arrangements—to try to make people from all countries feel equal.

The smallest countries are encouraged to have a voice as big as the most powerful ones. At least in theory, no nation is favored over another. No nation is sovereign over another.

No king rules over another. God is the great exception to this magnanimous plan. According to the Bible, He is the King of all kings. He is over all as the supreme leader. He has no equal.

When it comes to governing the universe, there is no democratic vote. He doesn’t sit at a conference table next to us; He sits on a throne above us. His will is law all the time, because He has authority in every corner of the world.

That’s what the Bible declares; but if we’re honest, it doesn’t always feel like that’s the case, does it? We look around and see certain leaders doing whatever they want. They don’t seem subject to anyone. They make scary threats and empty promises.

Meanwhile God seems silent, sometimes even passive. Why is this? It’s because God isn’t a dictator who micromanages His subjects.

It’s also because, for now, God’s rule is largely spiritual, His kingdom invisible. For now, the King of kings gives earthly leaders, nations, and individuals much freedom.

But with that freedom, He also gives this promise: The day is coming when the heavens will open up and the Lord will descend to rule visibly, physically, and unmistakably upon the earth. On that day there will be no mistaking who is in charge or where the buck stops. All will give an account to the King of kings.

Today while you watch the news or surf the Internet shaking your head at the chaos and unrest in the world, remind yourself that things are not what they seem.
Our God is the King of kings. He’s got the whole world—us included—in His good hands.

How could reminding yourself that God is the King of kings change your perspective of current political events?

Prayer:
In a world full of dictators, emperors, despots, and presidents, I praise You, God, that You are the King of kings, victorious ruler of all things. Amen.

God wants first place in our hearts and lives. When we turn to the God of the Bible as the one true God, we necessarily turn away from all other gods.

“We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” 1 John 5:20

Maybe you’ve heard someone argue that the various world religions are just different paths to a common destination. God is on the top of a mountain, so to speak, and it doesn’t matter which upward road you take—in the end they all lead to the same place.

The ancient Hebrews tried that approach. At times they worshiped an idol named Baal. Other times they worshipped Asherah. At one point, some of the Hebrews even worshipped a false god by offering child sacrifices.

Each time, God confronted their idolatry and insisted on unrelenting devotion: “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

God wants first place in our hearts and lives. When we turn to the God of the Bible as the one true God, we necessarily turn away from all other gods.

We cannot find our fulfillment while worshipping anyone (or anything) other than God. He deserves our first allegiance—before career, before friends, before money, even before family.

It was Jesus Christ who made history’s remarkable claim: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

Notice He didn’t say, “I am a truth” or “I am one of many truths.” This utter exclusivity prompted C. S. Lewis to observe the following in his essay “Christian Apologetics”: “Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”

God is the one true God. There is no salvation or true satisfaction anywhere else.

How do people define “truth” today? Is truth relative?

Prayer:
God, help me remember to keep you first and foremost in my life. You are the only God and the only place I can find true faith, salvation, and fulfillment.

The good news of the gospel is that as spiritual “criminals” (sinners), we have an advocate in Jesus Christ.

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” 1 John 2:1

“Lawyer up.” That’s the counsel usually given to people charged with a crime. “Don’t say anything without an attorney present!”

From real life to TV shows, we all know a competent lawyer is a blessing. Good lawyers know the law’s technicalities and loopholes.

They can make a convincing case and influence a jury. Great legal representation typically means the wrongly accused avoid prosecution. (And sometimes it means even those who are guilty win acquittal.)

Whatever term you use—attorney, barrister, esquire—a lawyer is a legal advocate who stands beside you in court as you face charges. A lawyer fights for you in court as you face accusation.

The good news of the gospel is that as spiritual “criminals” (sinners), we have an advocate in Jesus Christ. He argues these stunning facts:

• Yes, we are sinners, guilty as charged, deserving of conviction, worthy of death (Romans 3:23; 6:23).

• But Jesus died for the ungodly—for us—in our place (Romans 5:6, 8).

• By faith in what Christ has done for us, we are justified (declared righteous), resulting in peace with God (Romans 5:1).

• We have been given the free gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).

• There is “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

• Though we once were God’s enemies (Romans 5:10), we are now His children and heirs (Romans 8:16–17).

• Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:39).

It’s an airtight case where perfect justice meets perfect mercy and love.
Remember these things the next time the “accuser” of believers (Revelation 12:10) starts launching his demonic attacks on your soul.

You don’t have to defend yourself. Your defender—your advocate—is Jesus Christ the righteous.
When in your life have you needed an advocate?

Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for being my advocate, for sending Jesus to stand by me and to fight for my life. I would be lost without You. Amen.