Mysterious Ways
“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’ How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father, ‘Why was I born?’ or if it said to its mother, ‘Why did you make me this way?’” This is what the Lord says— the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: “Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.” Isaiah 45:9-12
The illustration of the potter and clay in Isaiah 45:9-12 can also be found in Jeremiah 18:1-6, Romans 9:20, and Isaiah 29:16. This repetition should bring to our attention that God really wants us to know we can trust Him with what He’s doing in our lives. Notice that Isaiah 45 mentions that sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator about His work. To do so shows that we do not fully trust God. The consequences of divided faith are highlighted in James 1:
“…when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” James 1:6-8
Practicing this undivided faith can be difficult. I see this in my life right now in a small way. We recently noticed that a home just five houses down from ours went up for sale. My mother-in-law, who has health complications, has lived in an independent living apartment for several years now, but she isn’t very happy there. We chatted with her about it and had the idea to look into this house—close enough for us to check on her daily while still giving her the independence she desires. We toured the house, and it seemed perfect: within her price range, featuring the same custom cabinet finish she had in her last home, checking off all her needs, and even boasting a curved driveway that would make picking her up for doctor’s appointments a breeze! Everything was going great with the paperwork, but she ended up being the back-up offer. While there’s still a small chance she could get the house, it’s more likely we’ll have to find another solution. And that’s okay—we’ve learned many times that if something doesn’t work out, God has something better ahead. That doesn’t make the disappointment any less real, though!
Why is it that what seems to be a “perfect fit” in our eyes isn’t always God’s plan for us? Maybe you can relate—whether it’s home shopping or something even bigger. It’s frustrating when something seems meant to be and then doesn’t work out—or when something bad happens that feels like the exact opposite of “meant to be.” Maybe you lost your dream job, a relationship you were in didn’t work out, or you were suddenly faced with a diagnosis that has you asking God, “Why?”
When we look at Isaiah 45, we see that the Lord is speaking to Cyrus, who was used to set the Jewish people free from captivity. Before God’s illustration of the potter and clay, this is what He says to Cyrus:
“And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am the Lord; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.” Isaiah 45:4-7
It is clear that God has a purpose behind all that He does. For Cyrus, it was both specific to his circumstances (to free Israel) and part of God’s greater plan for the world to know there is no God like Him. How wonderful it is to reflect on this and realize the same is true for us—that God is working our story together for good, both in ways specific to our circumstances and as part of His greater story. Later in the same chapter, the writer reflects on this:
“Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, you work in mysterious ways.” Isaiah 45:15
God truly does work in mysterious ways, and this truth applies to all of us! Do you need to surrender full trust to God in an area of your life? Take some time to talk to Him about it this week in prayer.
