“ 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 are doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘ How clumsy can you be?’. Isaiah 45:9
I am not always a good passenger, especially when my husband is driving. I am pretty sure I can do better most of the time. He does not always enjoy driving with me. When I get scared and gasp because I think we got a bit too close to the car in the next lane whether it is his fault or the other driver, is immaterial. It scares me and in turn, when I gasp, I have almost caused accidents because I scare the liver out of Bill! As I reflect on this passage, I realize I do the same thing to God. Though His response is very different.
In this passage, the people of God are in captivity in Babylon. God is raising up Cyrus to act on His behalf to set the people free. Many scholars believe he reflects the Redeemer to come. As you keep reading, we see the attitude of the people reflected in verse 9. God’s people are not happy. They are full of suggestions for God concerning their well-being and how He could be doing better.
How many times have we found ourselves thinking we know for sure how God could have and should have done something so much better? We are not God. It is like us seeing one piece of a 1000-piece puzzle and then assuming to know exactly what this whole picture is and where is one piece fits.
God sees the entire puzzle of our lives, from start to finish. The good news is that God is smarter than we are on our smartest day. God is all-wise and powerful. Will there be things in this life which will devastate us or confuse us? Yes! Will we wonder where was God? Possibly. We know He is the Good Shepherd every day. He does not take holidays and He is very near to us in times of trouble.(Psalm 46:1)
I have all kinds of questions for God when I see Him. I struggled for years trying to understand why He allowed my dad to die young. I made a deal with God that I would go to Bible college in another province and His job was to take care of my dad. He passed away 7 months later. I struggled for years to understand what was God thinking? Why did He allow this to happen?
I still have no answer, but I do have peace. I have come to a place where I can trust God in the midst of unanswered questions. If I have the courage to ask Him when I stand before Him, I will ask then. Until that day, I choose to trust Him and His goodness. I hold tight to His steadfast love which never changes.
Dear Father,
Forgive me for the many suggestions and ideas I keep laying before you. Forgive me for my doubting and complaining that comes when I do not see Your hand move in the way I thought it should. I know it is I who serves You and NOT You who serves me. God, I trust You with my unanswered questions and unresolved situations in my life. Help me to trust and rest in You today.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen