“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith 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.“–Isa. 55:8-9

I confess–I don’t always understand God. Any man who says he does is dangerous–don’t trust him! What I do understand is that God either causes or allows everything that happens and that He does all things well. He makes no mistakes and owns no one an apology. Still, there are some things that makes no sense to me. If I depended on my power to reason I would have to say that God and I do not agree on some things. And this is in no way a criticism of God.

While I could write a book discussing examples It isn’t necessary. We all have a list of things regarding how our thoughts conflict with God’s. We should actually expect that. If God was no different than us there would be no reason for us to think highly of Him, obey Him, or trust Him. We would be justified in making a god of ourselves– exactly what some foolish folks have done.

This subject is much more serious than most imagine. It is in fact foundational to everything. One of our biggest problems is that we depend entirely too much on ourselves, and we resent it when we are confronted with opposing views. Were they totally honest many would have to admit that they believe the world would be better, if not perfect, if they had the power to change and control everything. We all tend to think we are right, or we would think differently. Now that might not be so terrible if you just compared yourself to others, but when you feel that way regarding God you are in serious trouble. There is no comparison between you and God. He is in a class all by Himself. His perfect knowledge, infinite wisdom, mighty power and unconditional love make Him one of a kind. He is unlike anyone else and superior to everyone else. This is the God we don’t understand, but desperately need to know!

To have a relationship with God we must depend upon a revelation from God, and we find that revelation in the Bible. While we could know about God without the Bible we could never know Him. Apart from the Scripture our knowledge of God is very limited. We could look at creation and conclude that there must be a “Higher power”– a skillful designer and a powerful creator, but we need more information than that. Thankfully we find what we need in the Bible. This should be a constant reminder that when our thoughts clash with God’s we must consult His Word to find the truth, and the truth is that God doesn’t always explain Himself– and that should be okay with us.

Although we cannot always understand God we can and should trust Him. We can depend upon Him. As Spurgeon said, “When you can’t trace His hand, trust His heart”. That’s good advice! So, here’s the bottom line — if we are doing God’s will we don’t need to know anymore than what He is willing to reveal to us. To know more would be counter-productive. It is for that reason that our thoughts and ways should be like God’s to the greatest degree as possible. For that to happen, to have “the mind of Christ”, we must simply believe what God says, behave accordingly, and leave it at that. I don’t always understand God’s ways, but I trust Him, love Him, and serve Him. I need do no more than that! Neither do you. Stop worrying about the things you don’t understand and start enjoying what God has revealed. That will make a world of difference in your outlook on life.

When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly – Romans 5:6

Salvation is for the helpless, the powerless, the needy. If Christ had waited until people were good enough, strong enough, or willing enough to be saved, he would never have come.

This is the first lesson of salvation, which must be learned—- you are not saved because of who you are or what you’ve done; you are saved in spite of who you are and what you’ve done.

You can no more earn God’s favor, even now, than lift Mount Everest and carry it on your shoulders. You are without strength; you are ungodly.

But the good news is that Christ died for the ungodly! Christ did not die for those who had done enough good works, or gone to church enough, or given enough money. Christ died for the ungodly, the undeserving, those who are spiritual paupers in the marketplace of salvation.

And Christ came in due time. His birth was no accident, his life was not mere happenstance, and his death was not without purpose. God knew before man sinned in the garden that he would need saving, and he sent his Son to pay, by his cross, our otherwise unplayable debt.

What about you? Do you see yourself as ungodly and without strength, or are you still trusting in your own goodness to save you? If you do see the filthiness of your heart and habits, that you are guilty before a holy God, then know this: Christ died for the ungodly.
Do not hesitate to embrace the salvation that God planned for his people to enjoy in Christ.(Baptist Bible Hour)

One of the saddest funerals I ever preached was that of a teen age boy in our church who had been killed in a car wreck. This was the text for my message on that day. After the service we met at the parents house and the father asked me to take a walk with him. After walking around farm for a while he started crying and said, “Brother Stone, I have been so busy taking care of all this that I never took time to stop and smell the roses. I should have spent more time with my son and now it’s too late”. What do you say to a man in such grief? I simply reminded him of the words of this text. We can’t change the past, but in God we can find the strength to keep going. In God we reason for hope in the future. God not only will help us, He will use the bad for some good.

Turning Point magazine related this story: “In November 2004, two North Carolina buddies, Dale Beatty and John Gallina, were wounded when their vehicle hit an anti-tank mine in Iraq. John received severe head and back injuries. Dale lost both legs below the knee. Neither man let their injuries stop them. Returning home, they formed an organization to provide accessible housing solutions for disabled veterans. Their story has widely appeared in the media, and they’ve been called part of “the new greatest generation.” Their slogan: “When hearts come together, great things happen.”

We can’t always control what happens to us, but we are responsible for our response. It takes time to work through painful and injurious episodes in life; but nothing is wasted in the providence of God. He knows how to take every burden and bring from it a blessing. Obstacles are stepping stones, not roadblocks.

In times of loss, it’s necessary to grieve, process the pain, ask questions, and allow ourselves to cycle through natural human emotions. But all the while, we can cry to the Lord. When overwhelmed, we can pray, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

We may not be able to rejoice about our circumstances, but we can rejoice in the Lord, and that gives us remarkable strength. God can make life not only bearable, but also a blessing.

“They limited the Holy One of Israel.” – Psalms 78:41

This was Israel’s sin, and has it not often been ours? Our God is the Holy One, and will do what is the most for His glory; He is the Holy One of Israel, and will therefore consult His people’s welfare.

We must not limit His wisdom, for it is infinite; we must not limit His power, for it is omnipotent; we must not limit His mercy, for it is as high as heaven and deep as hell; we must not limit Him to time, for He will display His sovereignty. He will not be tied to walk by our rules, or be bound to keep our time; but He will perform His word, honour our faith, and reward them that diligently seek Him.

However tried, beware of limiting the Holy One of Israel; say not “It is too difficult, or it is too far gone;” this was the fault of Martha and Mary, but Jesus convinced them that they were wrong. Rather say with Jonathan, “It may be that the Lord will work for us; for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few;” Jonathan honoured the Lord by trusting Him, and the Lord by giving him a victory over the enemies of Israel.

Exercise unlimited confidence in God, for He will fulfil every promise that He has made.

Wide as the world is His command,
Vast as eternity His love:
Firm as a rock His truth shall stand,
When rolling years shall cease to move. — James Smith, 1840

“Take heed, and beware of covetousness” – Luke 12:15
This is a warning from the lips of our beloved Lord. He knows our weakness and our foes, and He cautions us against them. We want but little here below, for we shall not be here long; and we are going to the land of plenty, rest, and joy.

A little with the Lord’s blessing is enough. We ought not to be anxious about temporals; only let us be careful that the world is not a loser by us, and we need trouble no further. The Lord will give us enough if we are living by faith upon Him, and walking in communion with Him.

We are all prone to be covetous, and it is a fearful sin.
Covetousness is idolatry. It steals the heart from God, and sets it upon base and sordid things. It prevents our enjoying either temporal or spiritual blessings. A covetous man must be miserable, must be unholy……well may our dear Lord say, “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.”

It is sly and insinuating, it is deceitful and powerful; and if it once becomes rooted in the heart, nothing but omnipotent grace can root it out. Covet only the best gifts, spiritual blessings.

Great things we are not here to crave,
But if we food and raiment have,
Should learn to be therewith content;
Into the world we nothing brought,
Nor can we carry from it aught;
Then walk the way your Master went. — James Smith, 1840