Devotion 6 of 10 in the series I Am the LORD: Isaiah 45:8-10

Why Did God Make Me This Way?

Inside: Do you ever wonder, “Why did God make me this way?” We see our flaws, but our heavenly Father sees much more. Discover what God sees and how to see yourself in the same way.

Why Did God Make Me This Way_potter and clay pot

We see our flaws. What does God see? Isaiah gives us a glimpse:

Isaiah 45:8-10 (ESV)

8 “Shower, O heavens, from above,
and let the clouds rain down righteousness;
let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit;
let the earth cause them both to sprout;
I the LORD have created it.
9 “Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
or ‘Your work has no handles’?
10 Woe to him who says to a father, ‘What are you begetting?’
or to a woman, ‘With what are you in labor?’”

Digging into God’s Word: Why Did God Make Me This Way?

God first spoke these words through Isaiah regarding the specific prophecy of Cyrus, a future ruler of Persia, who would allow the Israelites to return to their homeland after a long Babylonian captivity. The underlying principle has fascinating meaning for us today.

How would you describe yourself? Are you a friend, an aunt or uncle, spouse, or parent? Do you work outside the home, in the home, or both? Now consider more in-depth personality characteristics. Are you an extrovert or introvert? Easy-going or serious? Big picture or detail oriented? Chaotic or organized? You might even think about physical characteristics, which might bring pride or squirms!

I cherish select, deep friendships and meaningful conversation. I am an aunt with purpose. I can’t calculate complex math for the life of me (I Googled 4th grade math this year), but if you want a word-based analysis or a practical bulleted list, I’m your gal. Being alone fills me up. I can likely name the tree I’m standing by, but who knows what forest it’s in. Give me a guide book, and I’ll identify the fungus that’s growing on the tree. I could lead you out of the forest, but I am much more comfortable ably assisting the leader, providing personal GPS services. Speaking of trees, I have tree trunks for ankles and, I’m sure of it, not one fast-twitch muscle fiber in my body. I sense things deeply. If Hallmark commercials make my lip quiver, imagine the emotions that flood when confronted with any tender situation.

Why did God make me this way? Does anyone really need that sturdy of ankles? It sure would be nice to not be pooped by the party! I could have made a heck of a lot more money with some math or science skills. And could I please not cry at even very good news?

Look again at verse 9:

“Woe to him who strives with him who formed him,
a pot among earthen pots!
Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
or ‘Your work has no handles’?

Who am I to question the God who formed me and made me just the way I am? Just as God had established a purpose for Cyrus, who would not even know God as his Lord, so has He created each of us in the exact way He intended for purposes beyond our understanding.

We see flaws. Our heavenly Father sees His intricate, thoughtfully designed creation.

Digging Deeper: Why Did God Make Me This Way?

As you are able, spend time with God, reflecting on these questions or journaling your thoughts.

  1. How would you describe yourself? Think of skills, personality characteristics, or physical traits. Which of those do you not especially like? Ask God to show you how He might use that trait for His purposes.
  2. I have been meditating on Psalm 138 lately. Today, I noticed the last verse of the psalm and how well it fits with our passage from Isaiah. You might pray verse 8:

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.

3. Isaiah uses the imagery of a potter several times. You might be familiar with Isaiah 64:8:

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

If you have time, you might do a word study of potter in the Bible. The illustrations are intriguing.

4. You might already be humming this song. Find “Change My Heart, Oh God” and enjoy the soothing tune as you open your heart to the Lord.

Extra Info!

If you missed the first devotion in this series, I encourage you to go back and work through it, because it sets up the context of Isaiah 44 and 45. Plus, it is very meaningful, offering an important message of hope! You can find it here. Then come back and join us for the rest of the series “I am the LORD.”

Subscribe to receive devotions straight to your inbox at THIS LINK.

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Comments

  1. Mitzi says:

    Wow! You nailed this one. I loved your self perception. I’m going to read this one again several times and try to see myself clearly and through God’s eyes.

    • Mitzi says:

      I just finished describing myself. That hurt!! But the bottom line is I see myself in all God’s glory but humanly far less than perfect.

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