A Door For Doubt
ISAIAH 55
"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. “For you shall go out with joy, And be led out with peace; The mountains and the hills Shall break forth into singing before you, And all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.“
Isaiah 55:8-12 NKJV
I have a confession to make. I have often allowed this verse to open a door for doubt. I have let this verse give license to believe i lack understanding about God, His character, or His word.
I’m certain it’s an act of humanness and our need for understanding, and possibly bad theology. This door of understanding, gives license to doubt and believe experience over God’s word and character.
Yes, His thoughts and ways are higher than ours- BUT we still know them. They’re written in His word. The Word IS who He is.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:1-5, 14 NKJV
This is it. God’s identity is found within the pages of The Holy Bible, His thoughts and ways are found there too!
I have been challenged the last few weeks to review what i have allowed to mold my belief. And if I’m being honest (which i am 😂) my experience, resource, and experience are shaping who I am and who I am becoming more than God’s Word.
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NKJV
God’s word is alive and active in me ONLY when i allow and make my life available for it to work and go forth.
My constant prayer is “Here I am Lord.” “I’m available!” But let’s be real, it doesn’t always feel good. It’s being pliable to being righted, because where i am currently either in heart, motive, desire, or location is wrong. I am in the wrong. I.e. His thoughts higher (right), His ways higher (right), than mine because i am in the wrong.
What have you allowed to shape your belief and Faith?
Prayer: Father, thank you for correction. Thank you for pointing out discrepancies in my understanding and shaping my faith to how it ought to look, feel, and act. I am grateful that You alone Lord are the author and finisher of my faith. Here I am, I’m Yours- clay and pliable in your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:2 NKJV
I often reflect on this verse because my thoughts and the thoughts of others can seem so much louder than God’s Word. I was just reading these verses in Proverbs today, which reminded me that Jesus is always in control.
”Mortals make elaborate plans, but God has the last word.“
Proverbs 16:1 MSG
”Put God in charge of your work, then what you’ve planned will take place.“
Proverbs 16:3 MSG
”Make your motions and cast your votes, but God has the final say.“
Proverbs 16:33 MSG
So true. While meditating on this the other day, I felt this thought drop in my spirit: “just because it doesn’t feel good doesn’t mean it isn’t truth.” I am so grateful for God’s sovereignty, but truthfully it can make me lazy.
I have a tendency to be fearful and not be moved to action. And this is where I’m being challenged: faith occurs in pursuit of what God spoke not while standing still waiting. I tend to wait. “If it’s God’s will.” and all that, “His word will not return void”.
I am challenged in the in between. What I have yet to see, what I have yet to understand will I act and move as though I do?…
From the understanding that God's ways are above our ways and his word will not return to him void. I can glean a deep sense of trust and reassurance. This teaches me that even when I don't fully comprehend the path or the reasoning behind certain events or directives, there is a higher divine purpose at work that is beyond my immediate understanding. It encourages me to have faith, and whatever God communicates, be it through scripture, prayer, or spiritual intuition, has a definite and fruitful purpose that won't be futile or without effect.