Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 172 – Isaiah 55:8-9 – My Ways – Growing As Disciples
“For 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 (NIV)
Thoughts And Ways
I know that my thoughts are not your thoughts. I know that my ways are not your ways. How have you come to know this to be true? I have thought and said and done so many things that clearly were not in alignment with your will. I have suffered the natural results of pain and suffering as I have frequently relied on myself. So, my lessons have been painful. Your lessons have also been very valuable. That is true. As a result, I have no doubt that your thoughts and ways do not come naturally to me or to anyone else for that matter. What does come naturally to you? Thinking and speaking and acting in worldly ways comes naturally to me. I live in this world. It should come as no surprise to me that thinking and speaking and acting in worldly ways is the natural result of not relying on you. That is true.
How do you want to live differently? How will you come to rely on me? How will you seek to know my thoughts and ways? First, let me say that I know something to be true, without a doubt. What’s that? You want me to know your thoughts and ways. You have no desire to keep your thoughts and ways secret from me. I know that I will find you when I seek you with all my heart. Yes, you will. It will be my joy for you to come to know my thoughts and ways. I want you to be able to think my thoughts, speak my words and take my actions. So, you will passionately seek me? Yes, I will seek you with all my heart and mind and soul and strength. That will be very good. How will you seek me? Where will you meet with me? I will meet with you in your word. There you will speak to me. I will meet with you in prayer. There you will speak to me. I will meet with you in worship. There you will speak to me. You will speak to me even as I go and do your will. You will speak to me as I follow and serve you. Yes, I will speak to you in all these ways and at all these times. Yes, you will come to know my thoughts and my ways as you seek me with all your heart. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I know that my thoughts and my ways are not your thoughts and ways. I know that left to myself I will think, speak and act in ways that are not pleasing to you. Help me to know your thoughts. Help me to walk in your ways. Guide my life by your word. Amen
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