“Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.‘” (Isaiah 55:7–9, NIV)

Many of us have heard verse 8 above in reference to how God’s ways and thoughts are grander than ours. I have used this verse many times in this way while teaching class. But look at the verse in context with verse 7 and you have a bit of a different understanding. Isaiah is not contrasting the best of human ways and thoughts with the best of God’s ways and thoughts. He is contrasting our wicked and evil ways and thoughts in contrast to His good ways and thoughts. Yes, in verse 9 He says higher, because they are! They are not based on worldly human sinful thinking. God’s ways and thoughts are based on heavenly eternal truths.

The key thought to the verses above is the plea for us to forsake our wicked ways and thoughts, and turn to God, who will be merciful and pardon our transgressions. As we recognize the futility of our thoughts and ways and repent of our sins, God will not only forgive us our sins but will then lead us into His higher ways and higher thoughts. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truths. We must be certain that we will never know all of God’s ways and thoughts, but it is His desire that we know many of them. He wants us to join in the process of transforming our minds so that our ways and our thoughts would be more like His.

Friends in Christ, God wants us to join Him. He wants us to think and live as He would think and live. He wants to draw us into those higher things. Today, let’s repent of all the wicked thoughts and ways holding us back. Let’s dive into the Word of God and let’s begin to transform our minds into God’s higher ways.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church