GOD’S WORD FOR OCTOBER 26

Our  book excerpt today, and ongoing,  is from “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand”  Lessons from the Life of Peter, by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

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Michelangelo, it is said, was walking past a discarded piece of marble when he exclaimed, “I see an angel in there!”   His genius could see the potential others had overlooked.  Of course. Whether an angel ever emerged from that block of marble was dependent on the sculptor’s own plan and initiative.

Christ can see possibilities in each of us.  He could see in Zaccheus the dishonest tax collector, an honest tax collector.  He could see in an immoral woman a worshiper who would delight the heart of God.  He could see in Paul the persecutor, Paul the proclaimer of Christianity.  And He could see in Peter the man of clay, a man of rock.

In these pages we will see how Christ changed Peter from fisherman to apostle.  Peter the compulsive personality had to be molded into Peter the tough but compliant personality.  His fears had to give way to faith and his instability had to become a firm foundation.  The sand dune had to be changed into a rock.

As we glimpse into Peter’s experiences we will be rebuked, encouraged, challenged and, above all, strengthened in our own walk with Christ.  As though looking into a mirror, we will no longer see Peter, but ourselves.  For the divine Sculptor who patiently molded this fisherman continues His work in our hearts.  No matter how far we might have come, He will continue to chip away at our rough spots until we see Him face to face.

Thankfully, Peter’s Sculptor is our too!

A sculptor was asked, “How do you sculpture an elephant?”  to which he replied, “I just take a block of marble and chisel away everything that isn’t elephant.”

When God chooses us, He shapes us so that everything standing in the way of our usefulness is cut away.  His focus is not on what we DO but on what we ARE in hidden parts of the soul.  The shaping of character is always His first priority.  People, circumstances, and the unseen battles within the heart become His chisel to fashion us after His liking. 

He cuts away everything that isn’t Christ.

The process is never finished in this life.  Thankfully, we do not have to be perfect before we can know God intimately and be used for His glory.  History tells us that God uses imperfect people – graciously blessing many whom we would long since have cast away.  He is never finished with the raw material that is in His loving hands.  Our response to His chisel, however, determines the extent of our usefulness; it determines just how much good we will do that will last for eternity.

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Jeremiah 1:5a

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…”

Psalm 139:1

“You have searched me and have known me.”

Jeremiah 31:3

“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”

Isaiah 29:16

“Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; For shall the thing made say of him who made it, “He did not make me”? Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

Isaiah 64:8

“But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand.”

Romans 9:21

“Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?”

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