Sermon: Faith in God’s Ways
Scripture Lesson: Isaiah 55:8-13 “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. 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, 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. 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. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
Introduction: Isaiah 55:8-13 are some of my favorite verses in the bible. They remind me that our God is nothing like an erratic human, He is God and is far above us, He doesn't treat us as we deserve or even as humans treat each other. These verses always bring me comfort in spite of the News reports and the Headlines every day. I get it, I know bad news grabs the attention and travels around the world while the good news is still in the garage. Believers can have faith and confident hope in God’s ways.
How God does things is often not how we would do things. Isaiah reminds us that his ways are higher, his thoughts are utterly different than our own. Isaiah reminds us to put our complete trust in God because his ways and plans are always better than our own and to trust that everything included in His plan is for a greater good. Isaiah 55:8-9 says “'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. In short, he is God, and we are not.
1. He is God and We are Not. The heavens, the sky and the larger universe are much greater than the earth itself, which is how God compares his ways to ours. Our ways are much lower than God's, because our view is limited. We cannot boast about our ways because our understanding is limited also.
God is fair while we are unfair. Ezekiel 18:25-29 says, “Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? When righteous people turn from their righteous behavior and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.” You see, we may think we are fair, but we are unfair compared to God.
Humans are sinful (Romans 3:23, Mark 7:20-23, Isaiah 64:6, 1 John 1:8). Even our good works are called dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6). Meanwhile, God is good. He has divine greatness (Romans 3:23). God always has been and always will be sinless (1 Peter 2:22, 1 John 3:5). In contrast, our sin means we are unacceptable to God (Mark 7:23). Our sinful selves are against God, and God is against our sinful selves (Galatians 5:17). His ways are not our ways. Knowing that God’s ways are better than ours, we should humble ourselves. God’s ways are good. Our ways are bad. His ways are better than our ways. Because of this, we must humble ourselves and submit to him.
We are humbled by the fact that God’s ways are much better than ours (1 Peter 2:22-24, Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42, Matthew 26:39 and Matthew 26:42), and they always will be. We have no room for pride.
Isaiah ends this passage with joy. As we trust in God and his ways, joy returns. We don’t have to figure everything out. We don’t have to rely on our own frail understanding. Our sovereign, powerful God has a good plan, and that plan involves his presence going before us.
Sometimes we cannot see how a painful situation will ever work out. Where we see thorn bushes, God sees junipers. Where we see briers, God sees the myrtle. He makes beauty from ashes, life from death, hope from hopelessness. Because his ways are higher, and we can’t understand everything that is happening, we can trust that he will do good things in and through those who trust in Him.
It’s one thing to have faith in our own ways, but it is quite another to truly have faith in the ways of God. He is the master of miracles. Let’s have complete faith in God’s ways.
2. God’s Thoughts and Ways are Higher than Ours. We humans tend to make God in our own image. If we would react in a certain way, we assume God would think and act in a similar way. But here God reminds us that He exists and thinks on a much different level. Human reasoning can't grasp the thought processes of God.
Worry, anxiety, and frustrations are a part of the human experience, but not God’s. Today, the levels of anxiety are higher than ever before. There is so much to be anxious about. Apostle Paul gives us some clues to deal with anxiety. Paul’s circumstances were perplexing, and his problems were many. Paul addresses the people at Philippi with the best remedy for anxiety.
In Philippians 4:6, he states, “Do not be anxious about anything.” Paul had a lot he could be anxious about. He was writing this from prison. Not only could he have concern for his own physical well-being, but also whether or not he would be allowed to continue to fulfill his purpose in sharing the Good News. Every circumstance he faced could create anxiety.
Many problems are evident today. Paul reminds us that living in anxiety or living free of anxiety is a choice. Circumstances may be different in everybody’s situation, but ultimately, it’s your choice that determines whether you live in your problem or in God’s peace. It’s your choice.
Paul suggestion is to call on God through prayer. We can turn to a lot of different people or places or philosophers to try to get help with our anxiety—the best place is to turn to God. The Bible refers to “calling on God.” We decide what call we make. We can make a call to Google, or artificial intelligence, or some book that we have read, or some person. The call to make is directly to God. He is waiting for your call! Let your prayers and praises change your worries into peace. Praying in an attitude of thanksgiving begins to change our focus on what’s wrong to God’s focus on what’s right. In most situations, there is more right than there is wrong—it depends on the focus of our thinking.
3. God’s Vision For the Future is Perfect Peace. Paul and Isaiah agree that God has a perfect plan for our future. We can have peace in God’s plan and have faith in God’s ways. The peace of God surpasses all human understanding. His peace will guard your heart and your thoughts. Anxiety is created by choosing bad thoughts. Peace comes through giving everything to God and thanking Him for all that we have. That kind of attitude leaves little room for anxiety. You and I can choose to be anxious and worry about the election, the economy, our health and the like, but the result of that will be misery, debilitating health, and a person that nobody wants to be around. Or we can choose to thank God for all we have and receive peace and His purpose for our lives. Anxiety will melt and be replaced by a confidence that Jesus will guard our heart and mind!
This formula that Paul gives is preceded by saying that we need to rejoice in all things—which is a way of thinking and acting. (Philippians 4:4) It is followed by our reminder that we must focus on the things that are right, and good, and true. (Philippians 4:8) Anxiety or accomplishments—it’s your choice. Worry or witness—it’s your choice. Victim or victor—it’s your choice. Helen Keller once said, “I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet.” How we see things changes everything.
Isaiah gives us God’s view of the future. Listen to these verses again, “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. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the LORD’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.”
If we have faith in God’s ways, our lives will be filled with peace and joy. While others are expecting the worst, thornbushes and briers, you will experience fruitfulness and blessing regardless of the election outcome, despite economic ups and downs, and even despite trials of sickness and troubles, God will get the glory! Even when I can’t see a way, I can have faith in God’s Way.
Prayer
Lord, my ways are understandable and explainable, but your ways are higher than my highest thought. Help me to have faith in your ways, relying on you and what you can do. I choose to follow you, come what may.
I don’t know how these trials fits in with your plan. I don’t how to heal the brokenness of my heart. I don’t have answers for all your ways, but I trust you. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus Name, I pray Amen.
