Romans 9:20
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
The thing formed has no right to reply against God about how He has made it or how He shapes its life. No person has any right to challenge how He governs, uses and judges what He has made, for as Creator and Ruler He has authority and unlimited control to act as He chooses, and His character and judgments are not unjust. Like a potter shaping clay, He molds and fashions people for His use, knowing what kind of vessel each person can become and what work and place best fit each one. Their part is to yield to His shaping work, submit to His guidance and instruction, and surrender self, rather than trying to direct themselves, resisting His will and authority, or refusing to be molded.
His shaping may involve varied processes and a period of waiting before they are made fit for service. Submission allows Him to form them into shapely vessels, vessels of honor for His service, and into oneness with Christ. Resistance to His will brings difficulty, and refusing to be molded leaves crooked tendencies and defects in the character. The verse supports that He may use His people to punish wicked nations after bearing with them until their iniquity is full, as in His command for Israel to punish the Midianites who had led Israel into idolatry and rebellion.