“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 55:8
When I was a parent, I did not always offer to my children explanations for things I said or did. When I told them to “Stop!” or “Don’t touch!” I expected immediate compliance. Why? Because I knew the possible ramifications of their actions. Time for explanations would come later when there was no longer a threat of danger looming. Sometimes I would say, “No peeking!” or “Not now” for reasons I did not necessarily make known at the time of utterance, but the joyous reasons again would become clear at a later time.
That’s how it works with God. He often directs me to do or not do something, and I am clueless as to the reason. I often ask why, when I should be obeying Him without question. I forget that his thoughts and ways are not my own. He sees what I cannot; He knows what I do not. He could be protecting me from some kind of danger or waiting to reveal a sweet surprise. In any event, I should trust and obey Him regardless of whether I understand or not. God will never lead me astray; He always does what is best for me.
In Luke 18:17, Jesus says, “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.” We often equate this verse to the open acceptability children have for God. They easily believe what the Bible says, but could “as a little child” mean more? I think so. I think it also means that I need to obey Him just as little ones wholly trust and obey their parents. When my dad called out, “Stop!” I did so immediately because even if I didn’t know the reason why, I knew he had a good one for crying out to me. I need to have the same mindset when it comes to God. When the Lord directs me to do something, I need to obey without hesitation.
The Bible says in Isaiah 55:9, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” It is a good thing for me to trust and obey God because He will only do that which is good, right, and best for me. To lean on my own understanding is foolishness; to trust in God is prudent and wise.
I can never go wrong when my faith is in the Lord.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we’ll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
(from “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis)
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
**********
“What God says is best, is best, though all the men in the world are against it.”
― The Pilgrim’s Progress