Are You Like an Arguing Clay Pot?

“Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker,
those who are nothing but potsherds
among the potsherds on the ground.
Does the clay say to the potter,
‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
‘The potter has no hands’?”

Isaiah 45:9

Through Isaiah, the Lord made known his plans to use Cyrus, king of Persia, in order to rebuild Jerusalem and its temple. Of course, this meant that the Israelites would be subject to Cyrus… not exactly the kind of restoration they would have wanted. Surely it was tempting for them to question God’s plans, to doubt his wisdom or goodness.

Yet the Lord points out the folly of such arguments. “Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’?” (45:9). Of course not. The potter has the right to form the clay according to the potter’s own design. The picture of the arguing clay pot is a silly one.

And yet, aren’t we ourselves tempted to be silly at times? I know I am. And sometimes I give in to that temptation.

When God works in our lives in ways that don’t make sense to us—or when he appears not to be working at all—it’s tempting to take on the role of the arguing clay pot. In his mercy, God is not put off by our questions and doubts. In fact, portions of Scripture encourage this kind of blunt honesty with God. See, for example, the book of Job. But, in the end, we find that we have no other reasonable choice besides trusting God and his ways, even when they confuse or distress us.

Our confidence in God’s wisdom and goodness allows us to put our trust in him, to become willing clay. We know that, like a master potter, God is forming us into the very image of Christ, even if we can’t quite understand his process.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

When have you taken on the role of the arguing clay?

What motivated you to question God’s plans?

What helps you to become trusting and willing clay?

Looking back on your life, can you see how God has used difficult and/or confusing experiences to shape you to be more like Christ?

PRAYER:

Gracious God, I do affirm your goodness and wisdom. I do believe that your work in my life is masterful. But when I can’t understand what you’re doing, when hardship comes my way, when things don’t work out as I think they should, then I find it easy to question, to argue, even to doubt. I wonder where you are and what you are doing. I can play the role of the arguing clay pot with the best of them.

Thank you for accepting me as I am. Thank you for the privilege of being able to approach you with boldness. Thank you for putting up with me, for your patience and mercy.

Help me, dear Lord, to trust you more each day. When you are molding me in ways I don’t understand, may I continue to have confidence that you are doing what is best in my life. I pray for vision to see your work in me, so that I may cooperate with you and rejoice in your presence. Amen.

Explore more at the Theology of Work Project online commentary: The Potter and the Clay