Higher Ways, Higher Thoughts

Verse of the Day: Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Today we are reminded why it is that we sometimes find it so difficult to forgive ourselves and forgive others for those times we (or others) are offended. We are also reminded that what we view, from a human perspective, and what are expectations are, from a human standpoint, is not always what is right, regardless of whether or not we think it just and fair, before God, and according to His will and expectations. This is plainly seen when we become bitter or angry when God deals graciously with those that have hurt or offended us, and we do not see God taking vengeance for what they did, on our behalf. These verses, within their context speak of God’s view of redemption and forgiveness. In this chapter, God is calling man to repentance and acceptance of His salvation. He calls us to forsake our ways, our unrighteous thoughts, and return to Him because He will have mercy on us and will pardon us abundantly (v. 6, 7). This is where many of us struggle. We, all too often, impose our thinking on the way God thinks, and treat others accordingly; which always falls short of how God expects us, and tell us, to react and treat others when it comes to forgiving (Eph 4:32). There are many born again believers that struggle with forgiveness. Some of us harbor ill feelings towards others and prefer to seek revenge (which belongs to God; Rom 12:19). God, on the other hand desires that man would repent and turn to Him, with every offense (regardless of the offense). We often count the number of offenses, and as the number grows, our ability or willingness to forgive diminishes. Not so with our God, and He expects the same from us (Matt 18:21-22). Along with the number of offenses, our forgiveness diminishes as the number of people who offend us increases. The more we encounter offenses by people, the more we become bitter and bothered, and less willing to tolerate and forgive. We also measure the severity of the offense; the worse the offense, the less likely we are to forgive (Lk 7:47). For many of us, we can appreciate and be thankful for the grace and mercy of God, as we know who we were before our relationship with the Lord, and who we are today, by His grace; knowing full well that we did not, and do not, deserve His forgiveness and salvation for all that we have done. If we categorize an offense(s) as minor, we forgive easily, but as we view the offense(s) as greater, we choose to condemn, and judge, rather than to forgive. With God, no matter how severe the offense, if we truly mourn and turn to Him with a repentant heart, He forgives (Abraham lied, Moses committed murder, King David committed adultery and murder, and the Apostle Paul murdered and persecuted Christians, just to name a few). God’s view, as it pertains to pardon and forgiveness, is far above ours, and far above our comprehension; to the point that we have difficulty forgiving ourselves when we sin against God or others when they sin against us. This inability for us to understand God’s ways can also cause us to stray from His plan for our lives as He does not accomplish His plan for us in the same way we think He will or the same way we might desire. The very people that He allows to cause us pain are the very people He wants to use to cause us to grow and become more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus, who endured many offenses, and much suffering on His way to the Cross; yet, He did not revile or take immediate vengeance (1 Pet 2:23). Instead, He sought forgiveness and life eternal for all of us that have sinned against Him (Lk 23:34; Rom 5:8).

No one enjoys suffering or being offended. However, we have offended God on many occasions; yet, He still chose to accept us and save us when we repented and confessed our sins, putting our faith in Him for eternal life. Regardless of your past and what you have done, call upon Him today, repenting and confessing your sins; accepting His free gift of eternal life (Rom 6:23; 10:13). He will not reject you, because He does not think as we think and His ways are not like our ways.