Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? – Romans 9:21-24
Romans 9:21–24 paints a vivid picture of God as the potter and humanity as the clay. Paul doesn’t use the word “create” here—he uses “form.” That’s important. God isn’t making something from nothing; He’s shaping what already exists. And what exists is fallen humanity, a lump of clay marred by sin. From that same lump, God forms vessels for honor and vessels for dishonor. This isn’t about creation—it’s about salvation. The potter has the right to shape the clay as He sees fit, not because the clay is neutral, but because it’s already corrupted. As R. Kent Hughes said, “The question is not, ‘Why are some made for dishonor?’ because dishonor is the natural state of the clay. The question is rather, ‘Why are some selected for honor?’”
This truth confronts our pride. We want to be in control, to make our own choices, to define our own destiny. But we resist the idea that God has the same freedom we demand for ourselves. We forget that we are not the potter—we are the clay. And yet, in His mercy, God chooses to shape some for glory. Not because they deserve it, but because He delights to show mercy. “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy” (Romans 9:15). This isn’t cold determinism—it’s divine compassion. God didn’t create anyone for hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41). We were made in God’s image, and everything He created was good. Sin entered through Adam, and now we all share in that fallen lump. But from that same lump, God forms vessels of mercy.
So what do we do with this? We worship. We don’t accuse God—we thank Him. We don’t demand answers—we trust His heart. If you’ve been shown mercy, it’s not because you earned it. It’s because God chose to give it. And if you’ve heard the gospel, you’re being invited to respond. Don’t harden your heart like Pharaoh. Don’t resist the shaping hand of the potter. Instead, surrender. Let Him mold you into a vessel of honor. Let your life reflect the glory of His grace. And remember: the question isn’t “Why didn’t God choose everyone?” The real wonder is that He chose anyone at all. And if He chose you, rejoice—you are being shaped for glory.
“As believers, we must rest in this: God is not answerable to man for what He does. However, He can be relied upon to act consistently with his character, which has been disclosed supremely in Christ. With such a God, why should any of us question His ways.” – R. Kent Hughes
surrendered devotions 