“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. I will raise up Cyrus to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide his actions. He will restore my city and free my captive people— without seeking a reward! I, the lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” Isaiah 45:9-13 (NLT)

Lack of trust. Pride. Control. What is it that causes us to question (even accuse and judge as we see in this passage) the Creator of the Universe, the Author of your life and mine? Before sorrow knocks on our door (v9), we may first welcome frustration. When we position ourselves to argue and debate with the Lord regarding His perfect way of doing things, we are likely to complicate and frustrate our journey.

More concerning (in case a complicated and frustrated journey is not concerning enough) is what we open our hearts to when we position ourselves to not trust the one Person who is absolutely trustworthy. Can we genuinely trust Him in one area and not trust Him in another? Does that seed of distrust not grow and permeate every area of our lives?

I have seen it time and time again in my life. I step out to trust Him, He is faithful to do what I trusted Him to do, my faith is strengthened, and trusting Him the next go round comes more easily. But what about in those times that He is faithful to do what is best for me rather than what I expected or hoped He would do? Is my trust conditional or unwavering? Is my ability to trust self-centered and wrapped up in my own plans and agenda? Or is is my heart yielded to God, trusting not in the outcome I want but in a God whose ways are divine and worthy of trusting in.

I suspect that trusting Him throughout the journey, learning more of His heart through the dark and beautiful places of our lives brings more fulfillment and satisfaction to our lives than what ever result we’ve dreamed up for ourselves.

How wonderful and humbling would it be to hear the Lord say, “I will raise up [insert your name] to fulfill my righteous purpose, and I will guide their actions. [insert your name] will restore my city and free my captive people— without seeking a reward! I, the lord of Heaven’s Armies, have spoken!” To know that we lived a life yielded and trusting in an unfailing God and as a result set cities and captives free?