S.O.S.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.

Hebrews 3:13

So. I’ve done the smallest amount of pottery. When I was young I made a boat. It served as a paperweight for some time. My understanding with making pottery is that while you work the clay, it needs to stay a little wet to stop the clay from hardening and becoming useless.

In Isaiah 64 and Romans 9, God is the potter and we are the clay. His desire is to mould us into vessels of honour. Pieces of art that reflect His glory and goodness. But if we become hardened by sin’s deceitfulness, there can be no moulding. 

This is why we need each other. We are the sponge (apparently that’s what Potters use) that provides moisture and prevents hardening. Or more particularly, our encouragement to each other is the sponge applied.

Here’s the truth. We are rarely our own sponge (to stretch the analogy). We rarely soften ourselves. Usually, like the episode of Nathan and King David, we need someone else to bring us to a better state. We need each other.

For Today:

• When have you been encouraged/softened by a brother/sister?
• Who is one person you are concerned for in regards to sin?
• How could you encourage them?

Pray:

• Praise the Father that He is the Potter and we are the clay for His praise and glory. 
• Give thanks for Christ who never hardened His heart.
• Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you encourage others that they wouldn’t be hardened.