Is God Our Puppet on a String?

Kabbalah and Eastern religions teach that God responds to us. We act, and He responds, because we are really in control. But, what does the Bible teach? How is that god different from a holy, omniscient Lord of all? The God of all is in control of us--we don't control Him. Romans 9 says that God "hardens" hearts, too. People may think they are in control, but as their hearts get harder and harder towards the Lord and the act of humbling themselves in repentance, God is preparing a day for them to see that He was the One in control all along. He declares the end from the beginning. (Isaiah 46:10) Man does not.

"My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither 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 higher than your thoughts." --Isaiah 55:8

"Behold the Lord's hand is not so short that it cannot save, neither is His ear so dull that it cannot hear, but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear." Isaiah 59:1-2

"Of whom were you worried and fearful, when you lied and did not remember Me, nor give Me a thought? Was I not silent even for a long time, so you do not fear Me?...When you cry out let your collection of idols deliver you..." --Isaiah 57:11-12