We’d raised our sons in a two-bedroom, one-bath home for eight years. When they became teenagers, we all needed more space. It was time for a move.
We found a beautiful home with plenty of space and a shady yard located on the same street as our church. The home was exactly what we wanted, so we offered the owners full price (unheard of at the time). Two days later, we learned the owners declined our offer. Even the realtor was baffled. God, however, was not.
We were disappointed but knew God had something else for us. Soon afterward, on the other side of town, we purchased a home in a large neighborhood where our boys created life-long friendships, and through those connections, one of our sons met his future wife. God’s ways are always best, whether we can make sense of them at the time or not.
Where Does the Bible Say 'My Ways Are Not Your Ways'?
In Isaiah 55:8-9, the LORD declares that his thoughts are not our thoughts, and his ways are not our ways. Before this passage, in verse 6, the Lord spoke through Isaiah, urging His people to seek Him while he can be found, to call on Him while he is near.
God’s offer for salvation will not always be available. The moment we exhale our last breath, the decision is made. There is no second chance for salvation after death. We either accept the gift of salvation, or we don’t, with no in-between hope. The Lord says that now is the time.
In His grace, God leaves no doubt about how we can receive the gift of salvation. He doesn’t play games or dangle eternal hope slightly out of reach. In verse 7, he tells the wicked to forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. “Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
To accept salvation, we must repent—do away with, turn away from, our sinful ways and thoughts:
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” (Acts 3:19)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
If we believe that salvation is found in any other way but God’s, we are trusting in our thoughts and ways, ultimately leading to an eternity separated from God and His goodness.
What Does 'My Ways Are Not Your Ways' Teach Us about God?
Isaiah 55, in addition to other passages, teaches us that we can trust God’s higher thoughts and ways because He is:
1. Omniscient. God knows everything. Nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13). Our thinking is limited, but God’s is not, so we can trust when His thoughts and ways aren’t as expected. He sees an overarching purpose in every circumstance and trial.
2. Sovereign. God knows all, is above all and controls all (Colossians 1:16-17). Unlike us, He doesn’t second guess His decisions. His thoughts and ways are certain, and they are good.
3. Gracious and compassionate (Joel 2:13). It’s comforting to be guided by One who shows us grace and offers new compassion every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).
4. Merciful. “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). On those days when we don’t understand our circumstances, we find rest in knowing that God’s thoughts and ways are full of mercy and grace toward us.
5. Not swayed by emotions. Our thoughts and ways are apt to change depending on the circumstances. If someone hurts us, our flesh is vulnerable to changing our thoughts or ways toward that person. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
6. Immune to temptation. God cannot be tempted by evil (James 1:13). His thoughts and ways toward us are always for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
7. Worthy. “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (Revelation 4:11).
8. Slow to anger, abounding in love, and relents from sending calamity (Joel 2:13).
Why Is God’s Sovereignty Important?
God’s sovereignty is important because it is the why behind our ability to trust that God’s thoughts and ways are higher. When we stand firm in the belief that God is in control and that He wants to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), our lives are charged with an unyielding trust and peace that is beyond human comprehension.
How Do We Learn God’s Ways?
Immersing ourselves in the Word is the best way to learn God’s ways. Reading, meditating, and studying Scripture helps the active and living Word to become a part of us. We also see how God redeemed the struggles and strongholds of ordinary people in the Bible, fulfilling His glorious ways through them. The more time we spend in Scripture, the more we know God, and the more we know Him, the more we will trust His thoughts and ways.
We also learn God’s ways through experience. David says in Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man who hopes in him.” David had “tasted” God’s goodness for himself. Although he stumbled and fell many times, he repented and turned to the Lord, and God forgave him. He tasted God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness. In that freedom, David gained confidence that God could be trusted and that He was good, as were His ways.
Another way we learn God’s ways is through communicating with Him in prayer. We listen and respond, much like a conversation. We pray expectantly, trusting that God hears us and will answer, although probably not how we think or expect.
Tips for Replacing Your Ways with God’s Ways
1. Make a habit of asking God for His wisdom and discernment as you move through your day (James 1:5).
2. Replace grumbling with gratitude. The moment you catch yourself complaining about how something didn’t go your way (and it should have), stop and thank God that His ways are higher and trustworthy. Then seal the deal with praise music!
3. Trust that God’s “closed doors” to your prayers are always for your good, whether you understand it or not.
4. Trust and obey.
5. Rest when faced with uncertainty, confident that nothing is uncertain with God.
6. Go to God first for direction and guidance instead of immediately relying on a friend’s opinion, a life coach, or any other person.
7. Keep what I call a “Journeying with God” notebook. Jot down prayers, His answers, and Scripture verses to help in the wait. Keeping a written journal of God’s participation in our daily lives and His faithfulness in the little things helps us remember His faithfulness in everything.
A Prayer to Remember God’s Ways Are Not Your Ways
Sovereign God, I confess my desire to control the outcome of every situation. I see now that even though I don’t say, “I don’t trust You, God,” my lips and actions reveal it to be true. Help me to be sensitive to Your Holy Spirit’s promptings when this happens again so that I can turn away from doubt and instead turn toward You, and embrace Your thoughts and ways for my life. I delight in knowing, Heavenly Father, that You love me and are for me and not against me. Help me to trust You, for You are worthy. Amen.
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This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.
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