02-03-24-ENG.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares 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 and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

Isaiah 55:8–11

Far too many people treat the Bible like they do the monarchy of England. They’ll give the institution some props. They’ll post about it on social media. They’ll let others know that they appreciate it. But they will not give it any power because it does not have the final say-so. It does not affect their decisions, emotions, and direction. Similarly, until you and I, and our culture as a whole, develop a radical understanding of Scripture’s authority in our lives, it will be of little use to us. Scripture is the revelation of God.

It is God’s primary way of disclosing to us all that He wants us to know and how we are to live. Seeing truth in Scripture can be compared to sitting in a theater and having someone pull back the curtain so you can see what’s behind it. Scripture reveals to us the whole story. It is God giving you and me the content He wants us to have in order to guide us, lead us, and show us the best ways forward. As He says in Isaiah 55, His Word has a purpose. His Word will accomplish what He desires, and that is because His Word has the authoritative power of truth.

The reason we need to pay attention to Him and His Word more than we pay attention to anything else is because God reveals His heart and His thoughts to us in it. And we can’t guess what God is thinking or assume we know what He is thinking because He doesn’t think like us. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He doesn’t roll like us. His ways are not our ways. In fact, God’s ways are not even close to our ways. As high as the heaven stretches above the earth is how different we are from God. We are finite. We think of things from a finite, limited perspective. God is infinite. He knows all. Anytime you or I try to figure something out independently of God, we start down the pathway of confusion.

God operates and functions on a whole other level. When we align our thoughts with Him, we discover the peaceful gift of clarity. This is because the words that proceed out of God’s mouth are not just empty speech. He speaks purposefully. God is always intentional. It’s like if you were stuck in a maze or an escape room and you called to one of the employees for help. When you called for help, they would give you a clue. They would give you guidance. They would give you information that you would not have known on your own. The reason they can give it is because they know the way out. They know the path you need to take to reach your destination. God has disclosed in Scripture all you need to know to reach your divine destiny. He has revealed the truth you need to live out a life that is reflective of His character and kingdom values. When you live this way, you will fulfill the purpose He has for you, and you will impact our culture and our nation for good.

Reaction:
What happens when you fail to study God’s Word and meditate on it? Have you ever assumed to know what God was thinking, only to discover His plan went beyond your scope of thought? If yes, describe what principle you learned in that process. How can you apply the principle you learned from the second reaction question into a situation you are struggling with today?
 
Prayer:
Father, Your thoughts go beyond me at such a high level that I shouldn’t even try to presume that I know Your plans. Help me walk by faith as I trust in the revelation You give me each step of the way. Guide me into Your plan and purpose for my life as I draw closer to You in a heart of worship and trust. I pray all of this in Jesus’ name, amen.