“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways.’ This is the Lord’s declaration. ‘For as heaven is higher than earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” – Isaiah 55:8-9

There have been a lot of things going on lately that I do not understand; events in our world, our government, the Church, and even my own family that have me confused, frightened, discouraged, and even angry at times. Some are difficulties we have brought on ourselves, some are painful situations others have put us in, and some are tragedies wholly beyond the control of any human being. But whether it is our always-present personal sinfulness, someone else’s evil actions, or events beyond our control, I do not understand many of the things that are happening.

In the past I have heard that we, as believers, should cling to God’s loving kindness, knowing he always has good things in mind for us. And this is definitely true. However, one thing we often fail to mention is that, in these difficult times, we can also cling to God’s infinite wisdom. His understanding is so far above ours that we cannot even comprehend it. The way he views the world is nothing like the way we view it. The thoughts he has about what is going on and how life should play out are not anywhere close to being on the same plane as ours. We can ask “why God?,” but he in no way owes us an answer. We should always be thankful for the times and circumstances where we get to see little glimpses of his plan. In all other circumstances, we need to understand that his thoughts are not our thoughts…and we should praise God that this is the case!

Almighty God, thank You for being patient with our “why God?” questions even though we have no right to ask. Your thoughts and plans are high above ours. Let us not only be content in this fact but thankful in it as well; knowing that a Mind infinitely greater than our own holds the world in His hands.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon