| Commonly in parenthetical exclamations of praise we hear statements such as, �Praise God that as the heavens are higher than the earth so are His thoughts than our thoughts and His ways than our ways!� The expression comes from the prophet Isaiah (55:9). The verse however is not intended to be a statement of glorification to God, but rather the rebuke of Isaiah�s contemporaries. The preceding verses make this abundantly clear: Isa 55:6-8 6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. 7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. � for my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways!� God�s desire for His children is that our thoughts would be conformed to His thoughts, and our ways to His ways. It must be understood that this is not only possible, but expected of us all. Verses 10-11 of this pericope explain how this conformity is made possible: Isaiah 55:10-11 10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Through reading, meditating, and living in His word we are likewise transformed into His image � our thoughts to His thoughts, and our ways to His ways. This conformity is the purpose for which God planted the seed of His word within us. Paul spoke of this in his second letter to Corinth: 2 Cor 3:18 �And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.� Such an understanding should shed new light on Romans 12 as well� Rom 12:2 �Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.� Then what results might we expect from such a transformation? Verses 12-13 reveal the fruit to be expected from the conformity of our thoughts and ways to His: Isaiah 55:12-13 12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. 13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed. The conclusion then? Our prayer to God should not be �Praise Your name, your thoughts are higher than ours!� but rather, �God let your name be praised by the conformity of our ways to your ways, and our thoughts to your thoughts. I pray that it will be said of us that our thoughts are His thoughts, and our ways, His ways! |
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| �My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.� Isaiah 55:8-9 |