Good morning my “Walking with Jesus” friends,
Do you sometimes scratch your head wondering what God is thinking or why God allows certain things to happen in our world? Guess what… me too! In fact, that’s been true of our human race since the days of Adam!
God knows that and so God sent this brief but important message through His prophet Isaiah: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways’, declares the LORD.” (Is. 55:8) Now what do you suppose God wants us to understand about Him from that statement?
Join me again in Isaiah 55, building on our discussion yesterday regarding the fact that every human being has God-given thirsts in us which drive us to find and embrace what I call ‘thirst quenchers’. Humanity has, as a result, developed entire industries which produce a wide variety of thirst quenchers. Yes, of course, the beverage industry, but in truth isn’t every advertisement or marketing piece calling viewers or listeners to consider their product or service as a quencher for at least one of our thirsts.
But if God has designed humans with God given thirsts, then it stands to reason that in His great love for us and His complete understanding of our species whom God created in His image, then God would also create wonderful quenchers for the thirsts He puts within us! He would know much better than we what quenchers are helpful, and which are harmful for us. So, for example, a God honoring marriage is God’s wonderful quencher for a deep thirst for companionship and intimacy and sharing the burden of life with someone you love and who loves you, right? And God’s TRUTH is God’s wonderful quencher for most of our questions in life, right?
But do you also notice the devil and dark kingdom have alternative quenchers for our thirsts and so distortions of truth or outright lies are the devil’s answer for our questions. And adultery or same gender relationships are among the devil’s quenchers for loving relationships, instead of God honoring, lifelong marriage.
But as we wrestle with our thirsts and trying to discern what God quenchers are best, God wants us to know that He and we think differently! That’s why God told Isaiah to write this statement: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways’, declares the LORD.” (Is. 55:8) But here’s a very important question for us my friends: Can we learn to think like God, so our thoughts and God’s thoughts are in alignment? Is that part of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who is fully trusting God?
Listen to these statements about this struggle to learn to think like God:
* “Teach me Your ways, O LORD, then I will walk in Your truth. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name. I will praise you, LORD my God, with all my heart, I will glorify Your name forever.” (Ps. 86:11,12)
* “Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior and my hope is in You all day long.” (Ps. 25:4,5)
* “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)
* “When the Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit of God) comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13)
So, my friends, what do you see in those verses are the keys to learning to think like God? Do you see it is God’s work in us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, which enables us to think like God? Do you see it’s a strong personal relationship with God which enables us to understand how God thinks? Do you see God has designed us to learn from God as He teaches us?
Now, add this next statement God gave to Isaiah, which takes this concept one step further: “As the heavens are higher above the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is. 55:9) Does it seem to you God is inviting us to first of all, stand amazed at His superior and holy thoughts and ways? While we may not always understand what God is doing, God calls us to honor Him, respect His supremacy and stand ready to join with Him in what He is doing in our world! Is that our daily posture of trust with God?
That’s why God next said to Isaiah: “As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My Word that goes out from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which it was sent.” (Is. 55:10,11) Oh my, that is VERY powerful, isn’t it my friends?
Do you see the remarkable, scientific explanation God was giving Isaiah for God’s very complex process of the earth producing food for its inhabitants? Only in modern times have scientists figured out how clouds form as water vapor rises up from rivers, lakes and the oceans and then those water-filled clouds pour down the rain needed for every living thing. Does it amaze you, as it amazes me, that the ocean salt water is absorbed into the clouds but when those clouds pour out their water it is pure, fresh water, perfect for every living plant and animal? That is a perfect picture of God providing the appropriate quench for the natural thirst God has built into every plant and animal on earth!
Now can you and I understand how this is God’s model for how you and I should live our lives? We find God’s designed and provided quenchers for our God given thirsts, and in so doing our lives will flourish and if we especially are nurturing our hearts and minds with God’s quenchers, then our lives will be God honoring. Furthermore, God will be able to use us to be part of His accomplishment of His greater purposes here on this earth in our generation. Now think about that my friends!
That’s why God said: “…so is My Word that goes out from My mouth: it will not return to Me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which it was sent.”
Oh my, you can already anticipate my questions, can’t you my “Walking with Jesus” friends?
1. How do you and I discern what God is saying as He speaks His truth to us, leading us to engage our world as He directs us?
2. What effect does God’s Word have in our lives in transforming us, equipping us, healing us, challenging us to be all that God has designed us to be in bringing God’s answers for the current challenges of our world that is faced in our generation?
And I’m sure you can think of many more important questions that you and I need to ponder if we are going to live DAILY in the truth and power of Isaiah 55:6-11.
May I urge you to take your journal right now and start writing whatever God is speaking into your heart and mind, while you worship with this song?
Today’s Scripture: Isa. 55:8-11.
Choose below to read or listen.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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