Isaiah 55:8-9 “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.”

Question: In what areas of your thinking might God’s thoughts be different from your own?

It’s easy to think of the contrast between worldly views we see around us and what we are guided towards in the bible.

Secular views

For worldly views I think of Benny Hill’s quip of “Do unto others before they do you”, and the bumper sticker I once saw which read “He who dies with the most toys, wins.”
Or even just the secular approach of asking How instead of Why and Who — of wanting to be in control instead of trusting in the one who created and sustains this world and who is really in control.

But there are less obvious influences. I recently heard an analysis of modern philosophies which are now current in society, which concluded that once you remove the Christian underpinning of society you are left with nothing but power struggles.

And even looking at alternative religious outlooks, I see what ranges from militaristic brutality to serene indifference to the suffering of others.

Bible view

Our human capacity for thought is very limited and finite. So, we cannot hop to have the same thoughts as our infinite God, who is all powerful, and is beyond space and time.

For the way God sees things, I look to the Beatitudes, showing who God looks on as being blessed, and the rest of the Sermon on the Mount which guides us to turn the other cheek to our enemies, and give away what we need for ourselves when asked for what we can spare. And Jesus state we need to forgive endlessly when wronged.

My own thoughts

While I like to think I can recognize both worldly and biblical influences in my life, and I place my hope in what the Holy Spirit is doing to increase the biblical, there is a trap of ending up like the Pharisees that Jesus condemned most of all. When I look at the church responsibilities that make life busy, that can affect the priorities I give to things. I wonder if I look away from people in need and hurry on my way, when the Good Samaritan stops to help them. I wonder if I take on practical church attitudes on how much I need to give, or to do, before devoting the rest of my life to family or career or other responsibilities.

It’s easy to get off the right path, and I need to stay close to God’s guidance through bible reading and prayer, and not let the busyness of life distract me. Something that brings hope is when I find myself being led to do things that seem contrary to my sense of self-interest.

And I also find it encouraging to know that God’s thoughts are so very different to mine, for if His doctrines and theology were the same as my limited understanding, this world would be in a very sorry state!

I see another example of where God’s thoughts are so very different to worldly thoughts in the hobby interests of my retirement activities. Some people take a very competitive approach to those activities, while I see the need for kindness and patience with people who are growing frail and forgetful with age, in a similar way to how Jesus showed kindness and compassion for human suffering.

Praise God for giving us Jesus, who showed us the nature of the Father’s heart and thoughts.