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Woe to the One Who Quarrels with His Maker

Mark Virkler's picture

"Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker … Will the clay say to the potter, 'What are you doing?'” (Isa. 45:1-13)


The setting

  • Isa. 45:9-10 – A woe is pronounced on those who would question Jehovah's right to use a foreigner (Cyrus the Great) to redeem Judah and release them from their Babylon captivity and return them to Israel to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple. If Almighty God wants to set His children free, how about using some supernatural events like He did when he freed Israel from Egyptian captivity?
  • Isa. 45:11 MKJV – Says Jehovah, the Holy One of Israel … do you give command(s) to Me about My sons, and about the work of My hands

The answer is NO! I am God and there is NO OTHER!!! Read Isaiah 45 (and 46) and count how many times God expresses this sentiment, in one way or another, that He alone is the Ruler.

Our problem develops when we respond improperly to life’s hits and get ourselves into a quarrel with God.

Have you observed individuals, yourself included, who have had any of the following quarrels with God?

  1. I haven’t spoken to God since my spouse/child died.
  2. I haven’t spoken to God since He allowed this terrible accident to happen.
  3. I believed God for healing, and I wasn’t healed, so now, I’ve stopped believing.
  4. I believed God told me an event would happen, and it didn’t, so now I don’t trust Him anymore.
  5. I don’t understand how a loving God could allow …
  6. If I were God, I would …
  7. Since I can’t figure out why God allows these things to happen, I am offended and have withdrawn from Him. I am no longer passionate to follow, love and obey Him.

The life-sucking results of quarreling with God

I lose love, trust, and passion. I enter into depression and darkness. Infirmity and negativity attack and overwhelm me. Life is no longer worth living. I am simply existing, not living, not thriving.

My Wife's Solution – Patti is convinced of two things

  • The two key truths that keep her and me are: God is Almighty and God loves us.
  • The corollary is that I need to lay down my demand that my mind be able to fully comprehend God’s ways.

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isa. 55:8-9)

My personal experience

I have had journaling that did not work out like I thought it should. Re-journaling it to try to figure things out does not work well. I have found I just need to lay it aside as a “mess” that I just don’t understand or know the answer to. It is fine. I choose to continue in faith, even when my mind is too small to fully comprehend God’s ways.

I have some theological disputes with God on the way He runs His universe. I have told Him that I have some ideas for improving things, and I even have ideas on improving eternity. He tells me to trust Him and reminds me I don’t know everything. Often He shows me insights from Scripture that will help relieve my troubled mind, troubled pictures, and troubled emotions.

For example, I shared with God how unfair it was that Israel had to spend 70 years in Babylonian captivity for the sins of their ancestors, and that the Israelites had to spend 40 years in the wilderness before entering the Promised Land. His response, "Mark, it takes a while to get the world of sin and unbelief out of a generation of people, so this is a time of shedding the old and a deepening of faith and belief." 

The light bulb went on, and I recognized how true that principle was in my life, and it is only as I step into new faith that a new reality appears for me.

If I make a decision that I will NOT believe if I can't understand, then my spiritual life becomes damaged. Generally, within a day or two, I will feel the depression and repent of my DEMAND that I MUST UNDERSTAND. I let God know I am back to Patti's two foundational beliefs: God, You are Almighty and You love me. That is all I know.

Journaling application

  • Lord, have I withdrawn from You over the hurts I have experienced?
  • What would You speak to me so I can be restored to faith, hope, and love?

Hearing God's voice is as simple as: 1) quieting down (Ps. 62:1-5), 2) beholding Jesus at my right hand (Ps. 16:8; Acts 2:25), 3) asking for His revelation and tuning to flowing thoughts and flowing pictures (Jn. 7:37-39; Jer. 2:13), and 4) recording this flow (Hab. 2:1,2; Rev. 1:9-11). I then test it, ensuring it lines up with Scripture (Ps. 1:2; Jn. 10:35; 1 Thess. 5:2;) and is affirmed in the hearts of my three spiritual advisors (2 Cor. 13:1; Prov. 11:14). See this link.


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Through the Bible New Testament CD Package

3 CD Sets by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the New Testament in three modules. This package includes parts six - eight of our Through The Bible series,  which provide you an overview of the entire Bible. You may choose to begin with the Life of Christ and work your way through the entire New Testament, and then follow this up by going through the Old Testament.

Why are there four Gospels describing Jesus' life? How are the three synoptic Gospels different from John? What does God want to say to me through the life of Jesus? Can I really imitate Christ and be like him? Yes, Jesus came to model the lifestyle God has empowered us to live!

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Through the Bible Old Testament CD Package

5 CD Sets by Dr. Andrew Hardy | 1 Book by Mark and Patti Virkler

Dr. Andrew Hardy takes you through the entire Old Testament in this five module series. This is a part of our Through the Bible series, which gives you an overview of the entire Bible. This package contains five sets of CDs which span the Old Testament and includes the Through the Bible workbook

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Unique Gifts Make Winning Teams CD Package

2 books | 1 card | 1 CD set

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Unleashing Healing Power Through Spirit-Born Emotions CD Package

Book + 14 teaching sessions & 5 devotionals on CD

Experience Healing for Your Body, Soul, and Spirit through Kingdom Emotions!

In Christianity, emotions are often considered to be misleading and untrustworthy—a lingering part of our fallen nature that distract us from God’s truth. But our emotions were created by God, and though the enemy may seek to manipulate our hearts, Jesus sets us free! This practical teaching will empower you to see emotions as unique channels through which the Holy Spirit works to bring miraculous life-transformation, deliverance and healing.

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Your Extraordinary Life CD Package

197 Page Book | 16 CD Sessions | Save 10% | by Mark & Patti Virkler

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

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LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Notebook

LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice

by Mark and Patti Virkler

This 49-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook (previously called a "Seminar Guide") is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series and/or PowerPoint presentation. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. It offers you the following four benefits:

Price: $5.95
Counseled by God Life Enrichment And Review Notebook

LEARN Counseled by God

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 52 Pages

This 52-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series. You will learn the precise steps to take by exploring biblical examples of people meeting God and being healed. You will be guided in taking these steps yourself, and as you do, you will find healing and release of the key emotional struggles we all face. Healing from accusation, fear, inferiority, anger, guilt and depression, all can be found by hearing God speak to you!

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LEARN Prayers That Heal the Heart

LEARN Prayers That Heal the Heart - Revised & Expanded 20th Anniversary Edition

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 30 Pages

This 30-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series and/or PowerPoint presentation. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. 

We also have a limited stock remaining of the previous version. So if you want to run a class still using your old set of DVDs, please call our office at 716-681-4896 to order those at 75% off while supplies last.

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4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Cards

4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Cards (100-pack)

Request up to 25 of the 4 keys cards FREE with every order you place! (Excluding download-only orders.) Just specify how many you would like when checking out in the shopping cart. Spread the good news that God is still speaking and it is easy to hear His voice! Enhance someone's life!

To receive up to 25 free, do not add to your cart! Just choose a quantity of your "Free Gift" at checkout. To purchase more than 25, add to cart here.

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A Stroll Along the Sea of Galilee Gift Card - 25 Pack

The #1 Tool in the World for Introducing People to Hearing God's Voice!

Why not use this powerful tool to help bring revival and restoration to your nation by distributing this FREE offer! It is an ideal gift to slip in with cards for special days such as birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and Easter. It is perfect for conference attendees, newborn Christians, or anyone you want to share in the gift of greater intimacy with the Lord.

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