Most are familiar with these verses. “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.”
God’s thinking is different from our thinking. Our methods are different from God’s methods. It may seem obvious that God’s thoughts and ways are different than ours. Not only are God’s thoughts and ways different, they are higher or superior.
How are God’s thoughts and ways higher? What are the implications? As the heavens are higher than the earth on a physical plane, God’s ways and thoughts are higher than our thoughts on the plane of understanding. If His ways and thoughts are on a higher plane, then it should be of no surprise that we may not understand, that His actions and thinking may make no sense. This is natural as our perspective is from the human way of thinking and therefore, when God speaks or acts, we may be confused. The confusion and lack of understanding is okay.
However, we must not judge His ways and His thoughts because we sit on a much lower plane. There’s a reason that God is declaring that His thoughts are not our thoughts. Perhaps God is trying to dissuade us from second guessing Him, or from trying to ascertain His ways. I’m not suggesting that as believers, we set our minds aside and cease to think. When we deal with our Creator, there many of His doings that are beyond our finite minds. David writes in Psalm 131, “O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor do I have a haughty look. I do not have great aspirations, or concern myself with things that are beyond me.” (NET)
This is where faith comes into play. Even when we cannot understand, we must trust Him. There are times when we do understand His ways and His thoughts. But there will be many times in which we will not understand. Sometimes God moves in ways that are even contradictory to our thinking. Insistence on understanding during these times lead only to frustration. God desires that we find rest by trusting. We can be assured that God’s purpose will be accomplished. It may appear to be “madness” to us, but there’s a method to His “madness.” For as sure as the rain and snow bring forth food, Gods ways will succeed. His ways will never be in vain nor will they ever fail. As believers who follow God, our primary sense is faith and not understanding. We trust even when we cannot see . . . or especially when we cannot see. “And without faith it is impossible to please Him for he who comes to God must believe that He exist and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come. 