DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
by Pastor Scott Oas
The Higher Way
Ever thought, “What in the world is going on with my life?” We question the direction our life has taken, or our circumstances, our past decisions, our friendships, even our relationship with God. We wonder about the “fairness” of what has transpired and how we, of all people, could be in such a state of disarray.
Pastor Chuck Swindoll wrote,
“
When God allows unfair treatment to occur, it’s for profound and deep reasons.”
The words of the Isaiah the prophet ring out:
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT)
Look carefully at the contrasts. God says there is a vast difference between "my thoughts" and "your thoughts" and God’s "ways" are not like "your ways." God's ways are higher; they are far more profound, deep, mysterious and, I would add,
surprising
.
Our human ways are based on what seems fair, but that’s our way
,
not necessarily God's way, at least not immediately. God has been known to allow unfair treatment to occur in our lives for reasons far more profound and deep than we could have ever imagined.
Just think about Joseph and all that he went through. If ever anyone could have been discouraged, disillusioned, and desperate it would have been Joseph. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape, thrown into prison and yet God had another way for his life.
Could it be that God is up to something higher in your life, something that surpasses your way of thinking, a way that is for His greater purpose? I believe so!
Let’s hold on to that thought in Isaiah 55:8,
“...my ways are
far beyond
anything you could imagine.”
